Gullah Today

Interview with:
Anita Singleton-Prather aka Aunt Pearlie Sue

When Anita Singleton-Prather transforms to Aunt Pearlie Sue, her Gullah storytelling character, she takes you back to an era when folktales were part of the way of life each day.  Her relatives told them to entertain each other and pass the time.  The tales were passed down orally generation-to-generation.  And now, Singleton-Prather, a native of the Sea Islands in Beaufort County, South Carolina, entertains audiences with those same stories, songs and traditions that flavored her life.

Our African American Heritage web site writer recently spoke with Aunt Pearlie Sue as she shared her perspective on Gullah and the roles she portrays today.

AAH:  How did you evolve as a storyteller; what led you to do this?
ASP:   It was really almost a fluke.  I started performing with the Hallelujah Singers and was also the music director.  The director gave me a monologue in standard English and I translated it into Gullah.  That was my beginning.

AAH:  How many shows do you give a year? 
ASP:   Oh, approximately 100.

AAH:  Is that just in Beaufort or South Carolina?
ASP:  No, that is on an international basis.  As a native Gullah person I am very proud that the Gullah culture as achieved national recognition.  After all, you know there is a little Gullah in all of us.

AAH:  What do you mean, there is a little Gullah in all of us.
ASP:  The origins of Gullah are in Africa.  African is the cradle of civilization.  Therefore, we all have a little Gullah in us, as we all have a little African in us.

AAH:  How were the folktales that you shared with us passed down to you?
ASP:    My grandmother and I were very close.  I observed her and other family members very closely.  Ironically, much of what was passed to me were Proverbs from the bible.  My grandmother’s life experiences were very unique.  I remembered them and I continue to share that with my children and my grandchildren.

AAH:  Why is it so important for you to preserve the Gullah culture in this manner?
ASP:  I have two grandchildren that I am passing the “mantle” to.  It is so important, it is imperative, that you know who you are.  It has been said, “how do you know where to go if you don’t know where you have come from”.   We come from the royalty of Africa, it shapes our destiny.  My grandchildren must know that they have a positive inheritance and not what is portrayed on television and in the media. My other motivation…God gave me a revelation that my ministry is to be Gullah to bring about racial reconciliation and healing. 

AAH:  Ms. Prather, this has been enlightening, not only for me, but I am sure that our readers will think so as well.  Thank you for your time.  If any of our readers are interested in contacting you for a performance how would they go about that.
ASP:  They should contact Matrix Media at 1-800-289-0758.