Geechee Kunda Cultural Center in Riceboro will present an annual event, “The Gathering,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event will take place rain or shine.
The Gathering at Geechee Kunda focuses on the Gullah/Geechee Culture of Coastal Georgia, the Carolinas and northeast Florida and its relationship those of continental Africa and the diaspora.
“This day of fun and education includes presentations by The African Spirit of DayClean, performances by the Geechee Kunda Ring Shouters, sweetgrass basketry demonstration, herbal lore, workshops, children’s activities and a marketplace featuring Lowcountry dishes and vendors of local, continental and diaspora arts and crafts,” Geechee Kunda owner, Jim Bacote said. “Jine we to be a part of this great day of learning, celebration and growth!”
Those that are interested in learning to make a musical instrument for pleasure or profit can participate in a workshop to be offered during The Gathering. Instrument crafter and cultural presenter Eddie Osborne will offer two one-hour workshops.
One of the workshops is devoted to the making of a gourd-disc rattle, called variously “wasamba” (by the Bambara people), “wassahoumba” (by the Susu people) and “lala” or “laala” (by the Fulbe or Fula people). This workshop takes place from 10- 11 a.m. and costs $15. The maximum number of participants is 10.
The second workshop focuses on the basket rattle known as “caxixi” in Brazil and “sinyegule” in northern Ghana. It takes place from 11 a.m. to noon and costs $15. The maximum number of participants is 10. To preregister for either or both workshops, call Jim Bacote at 912-844-4400 or Eddie Osborne at 954-903-8025.
Geechee Kunda is located at 622 Ways Temple Road in Riceboro. For more information, visit www.geecheekunda.com, email jim@bacote.com, or call 912-884-4440 or 912-492-3345.