Gullah Geechee Junkanoo Festival

A Masquerade and Cultural Celebration, the Brookgreen Gardens Gullah Geechee Junkanoo Festival will feature presenters on West African, Caribbean, and Gullah Geechee heritage; African drumming and dancing; children’s crafts; and food tastings.

The dress is colorful, casual, or Afro-centric. Junkanoo, a Bahamian festival of costumes, music, dance, and a celebration of freedom, is traditionally held on New Year’s Day.  Gullah Geechee culture is related to Bahamian and other cultures of the African Diaspora.  Brookgreen’s Gullah Geechee Junkanoo celebrates heritage.

Important Information

• Decorate a Gullah Geechee Junkanoo mask or your own.
• Hear cultural presenters, paint Heritage Rocks, and enjoy other crafts.
• Tour the “Gullah Geechee Gaardin” and visit the “Seen, Heard, Esteemed,” “Lowcountry Trail,” and “From Chaos to Beloved Community” Exhibits.
• Dance to the music and join the Junkanoo Mask Parade.
• Visit the Artisans Market!
• Find food items such as rice, benne wafers, gumbo, etc.
• Keepsakes has a selection of Gullah Dolls from Charleston, related books such as Gullah Bibles, cookbooks, We Wear the Mask, Turtle Dove Done Drooped His Wings, and Sandy Island Forever.