The black border : Gullah stories of the Carolina coast (with a glossary)

A vivid anthology of Gullah tales brings the sounds of the Carolina coast to life, preserving a dialect and worldview that grew from West African roots and the island plantations of the early South. The foreword frames the community’s origins, tracing how the language and customs survived the harshest chapters of history and emerged as a living, oral tradition. Listeners are invited into a world where family, work, and folklore intertwine, all explained with a handy glossary that makes the unique vocabulary clear and enjoyable.

The stories range from the daring exploits of hunters—lion‑chasing in Lewisburg, raccoon and alligator pursuits—to humor‑laden courtroom sketches and domestic dramas that reveal everyday resilience and wit. A rice‑field idyll, an amusing fable of the “Alligettuh” and the deer, and a cheeky love “marriage of convenience” illustrate how the Gullah people turned hardship into song, laughter, and moral lessons. Each narrative unfolds with a rhythm that feels both ancient and immediate, inviting listeners to savor a culture few have heard beyond its own shoreline.