In the eyes of many, Charleston, South Carolina, is certainly one of the most culturally complex and attractive cities in United States. The intense dependence on the slave trade coupled with the intense social dynamics brought on by abolition all helped to create a cultural stew worth tasting.

One cannot talk about Charleston's culture without first mentioning the slave trade.  Enslaved Africans were brought in great numbers to Sullivan's Island (off the coast of Charleston).  More enslaved Africans came over the port of Charleston than any other port in the nation; causing historians to refer to the Island as the Black Ellis Island.

These enslaved Africans were the backbone of Charleston's economy with knowledge of rice cultivation, animal herding, blacksmithing, boat manufacturing and more. And most important of all, Charleston would be like a ship without a sail had it not been for the presence of the Gullah and Geechee culture passed down from one generation to the next. Both Gullah and Geechee are used interchangeable; Gullah basically referring to the language and Geechee the people. This culture is a mixture of Jamaican Creole, Bahamian Dialect, the Krio language of Sierra Leone in West Africa; and Gullah storytelling, foodways, music, folk beliefs, crafts, farming and fishing. These traditions exhibit strong influences from African cultures. Today, the culture is more prevalent along the South Carolina and Georgia Coast.