Pray – Sing – Shout: The History of the Prayer/Prays House in the Gullah Geechee Community

You’re invited to attend “Pray—Sing—Shout: The History of the Prayer/Prays House in the Gullah Geechee Community” a presentation by Victoria A. Smalls of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.
Two presentations taking place at 11 a.m. & 6 p.m., Tuesday, February 22 at The Learning Center, located at 913 West Street, Beaufort. The programs are free and open to the public.
Researcher and cultural preservationist, Victoria A. Smalls will discuss the significance of Prayer Houses in building Gullah Geechee communities. The presentation will include images of Prayer Houses still existing in Beaufort County and images of artwork by local and regional artists depicting these Houses of Worship.

The beautiful artwork is “Coffin Point Praise House” by Gullah Artist Mary Inabinett Mack from the St. Helena Island Ann Fripp Gullah Community, who was born in Colleton County, SC.

Prayer/Praise/Prays Houses were built o sites of enslavement and although initially used as a system of control, it gave Gullah Geechee people a sense of identity in a condition in which family connections have been deliberately interrupted. This identity was vital to building a community in such a way that all people can potentially achieve full social standing. Gullah praise services followed a structure based in the collective worship and contribution of members of the congregation.

For more information email info@gullahgeecheecorridor.org.