Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week in Fernandina Beach

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
July 22, 2015 1:15 p.m.

Queen Quet, High Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, accepted a proclamation from Fernandina Beach Mayor Ed Boner declaring the week of July 25 through August 2, 2015 as Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week in Fernandina Beach.

Mayor Boner read the proclamation at the July 21, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC).

In accepting the proclamation, Queen Quet flummoxed the mayor and many audience members when she spoke Gullah, also called Sea Island Creole English and Geechee. It is a creole language spoken by the Gullah people (also called “Geechees” within the community), an African-American population living on the Sea Islands and in the coastal region of the US states of South Carolina, Georgia and northeast Florida.

She switched to English to thank the FBCC, inviting them and audience members to join in celebrating the week’s events. She said that the celebrations have been launched this week in honor of the Gullah/Geechee Nation that will cover an area from Fernandina Beach to Brunswick County in North Carolina. She said that people interested in learning more about her people can follow on social media or visit the website http://gullahgeecheenation.com.

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.