Black Border

More than Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit, Gullahfolklore claims a rich cultural heritage, yet few beyond the Carolina coastknow much about it. However, it is growing in both popularity and interest, asattested by recent scholarly and entertaining examinations of the dialect andstories.The author, Ambrose E. Gonzales, realized Gullah's unique appeal someseventy-odd years ago. This Gullah dialect is interesting, not merely forits richness, which falls upon the ear as opulently as the Irish brogue,he wrote, but also for the quaint and homely similes in which it aboundsand for the native wit and philosophy of its users.Gonzales collected many Gullah stories with such captivating titles asThe 'Wiles That in the Women Are,' Mingo the DrillMaster, and Conductor Smith's Dilemma. A handy Gullahglossary is included as well, to aid the reader in interpreting the dialect.Today, Gullah is alive and well. Virginia Mixson Geraty, the world'sforemost authority on Gullah and Gullah instructor at the College ofCharleston, is the author of Gullah Night Before Christmas and narrator of the companion audiocassette. Both arepublished by Pelican.