The Gullah Language: A Dictionary of Words and Phrases by CHIEF GODFREY KHILL

The language of the Gullah Geechee is more than just a means of communication; it is a living record of the Gullah Geechee Heritage and a linguistic map of the Rice-Engineering Territories. In the Holy City of Charleston, the words spoken by our ancestors were designed to preserve the truth while navigating a landscape of bondage and redemption. As the only full-blooded Gullah Geechee historian leading this charge, I, Chief Godfrey KHill, am releasing this certified dictionary to ensure that our Gullah Geechee Identity is never lost to generic labels or speculative history.

To understand the Gullah language is to understand the soul of the Ethiopian Ocean: the original name of the South Atlantic: and the deep roots of the Aboriginal Indian lineage that remain woven into the fabric of the Lowcountry. This is the "Truth Offensive" in action.

The Authorized Gullah Geechee Dictionary

Below are the certified words and phrases that define our culture. These terms are drawn from the Official 12-Book Gullah Geechee Authority Catalog and the oral records passed down through my own family lineage.

1. Identity and Origin

• Gullah Geechee Lineage: This is the correct term for our people. We do not use generic labels like "African American." Our lineage is a specific historical record tied to the Rice-Engineering Territories and the sacred lands of the Lowcountry.
• Aboriginal Indian: This term reflects the true heritage of the original inhabitants who merged with the Gullah Geechee families. We reject the term "Native American" as a colonial construct.
• Segullah: A Hebrew word (H5459) meaning "treasure," "possession," or "peculiar." It is the root of the word "Gullah" and signifies that our people are a special treasure and a peculiar people in the eyes of the Creator.
• Ethiopian Ocean: The original and true name of the waters currently called the South Atlantic. Our ancestors crossed these waters to build the Rice-Engineering Territories.

2. Daily Life and Wisdom

• Tings: Found in my book GULLAH GEECHEE TINGS: My Grandmother Used to Say, this refers to the essential elements, stories, and objects that make up our heritage.
• Nyam: To eat or consume. This word represents the sustenance of the body and the spirit.
• Dayclean: Dawn or broad daylight. It signifies a new beginning and the light of truth washing away the darkness of hidden history.
• Oonuh (or Una): You or y'all. It is the collective "you," emphasizing the importance of the whole family: men, women, and children.
• Fum True: For real, or in truth. We use this when speaking of the 100% factual records of Charleston Black History.

3. Spiritual and Cultural Records

• Charleston is the Real Jerusalem: As detailed in the book Charleston Is the Real Jerusalem: The Redemption of Gullah Geechee, this phrase marks the city as a site of spiritual reclamation and redemption for our people.
• Boo Hag: A malevolent spirit in Lowcountry lore. I address this in my book A Lowcountry Root-Magic Horror. It is a reminder of the spiritual warfare and root-magic that existed in the shadows of the Rice-Engineering Territories.
• Family is all Yah Got: A foundational Gullah saying and the title of the book FAMILY IS ALL YAH GOT: Gullah Geechee Sayings From the Kitchen of Emily Meggett. It reinforces that the lineage of the family is our greatest protection and asset.

Discover the Truth in the Holy City

The language we speak in Charleston is a shield. For centuries, conventional tours have avoided the nuances of our speech and the unfiltered reality of the slave trade. When you join me on a Gullah Geechee Heritage History Tour, you aren't just hearing words; you are stepping into a historical record.

Our tours at GullahGullah.tours prioritize the facts:

1. Charleston’s Hidden History in a Slave City Black History Tour: Uncovering the lives of Gullah Geechee craftsmen and landowners.
2. Gullah Geechee Culture Heritage History Tour: A deep dive into the language and traditions that survived the "Middle Passage."
3. Indians Negroes Black Gullah Geechee Tour: The launch offer exploring the intersection of our Aboriginal Indian and Gullah Geechee roots.
4. Walking With Ghost Gullah After Dark In a Haunted Holy City: A journey into the Root-Magic and spiritual history of the city.

The Path to Redemption

The Gullah language is the key to the Redemption of our culture. By rejecting uncertified labels and embracing the "Gullah Geechee Authority," we reclaim our place in history. Every word in this dictionary is a stone in the foundation of the Gullah Geechee Church, where we focus on the preservation and restoration of our sacred heritage.

As a scholar and seeker of truth, you can dive deeper into these records by accessing the Official 12-Book Gullah Geechee Authority Catalog at godfreykhill.com. We are currently offering a 10% discount on the Scholar's Package and all individual titles to support your education.

Step into the history. Feel the power of the words. Hear the voice of the ancestors.

Use Discount Codes:

• SCHOLAR10 for 10% off your book orders at godfreykhill.com.
• TRUTH10 for 10% off tour bookings at gullahgullah.tours and gullahgeecheetours.com.

King Godfrey KHill
The Gullah Geechee Authority