Gallery Chuma

About Us:

Welcome to Gallery Chuma, we specialize in the art of the Gullah people of coastal South Carolina as visually portrayed by internationally recognized masters and innovative select group of emerging artists.

We are a resource center to learn more about the Gullah Culture through Gullah Art, Gullah Books, Gullah Crafts, Gullah Storytelling, Gullah Spirituals, Gullah Tours and Gullah Food.

The Gullah people are descendents of enslaved Africans who settled on isolated sea islands and marshland areas from Jacksonville, Fla., to Wilmington, N.C., in the 19th century. They live in small farming and fishing communities along the Atlantic coastal plain and on the chain of Sea Islands which runs parallel to the coast. Because of their geographical isolation and strong community life, the Gullah have been able to preserve more of their African cultural heritage than any other group of African Americans. They speak a Creole language similar to Sierra Leone Krio, use African names, tell African folktales, make African-style handicrafts such as baskets and carved walking sticks, and enjoy a rich cuisine based primarily on rice. Today, various factors threaten Gullah communities, including developers seeking land to build resorts and condominiums along with younger generations leaving ancestral Gullah lands for college or employment and not returning.