In many Southern communities, Watch Night Services will take place in many churches. It’s a tradition that goes back to 1862, when enslaved Africans in South Carolina prayed and stayed awake to enjoy their first day of freedom – January 1, 1863 or Freedom’s Eve – in a divided United States. Today, some churches will hold services into the New Year while others will begin and end a service early, so that members can get home to entertain or be entertained.
Florida Legend: Zora Neale Hurston Books To Explore
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Heirs Property Preservation: Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission Awarded Funding to Support Heirs Property Owners
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FAMU Alum Tells Her African-American Holiday Traditions in Florida’s Gulf Coast
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Heritage Travel: Freedom’s Eve: How to Celebrate Watch Night in Charleston, SC
Looking for a unique way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with your family and friends? Why not add a trip to the Lowcountry by way of Charleston, SC to celebrate Watch Night. This New Year’s
Black Holiday NYE Traditions: The History Watch Night and How to Celebrate Virtually
Never once would I have imagined not being able to physically attend Watch Night services in the presence of my own church family or with plenty of family and friends. With Covid-19 constantly changing the
How to Make Easy Hoppin’ Johns with Red Field Peas
A classic New Year’s staple in the Lowcountry is Hoppin’ Johns, especially the version with Red Field Peas. I love the rich color of this dish and it is a staple in any Gullah home
SHOP OUR FAVORITES
Southern Bred, Soul Infused
Our Food Historian Robin Caldwell describes,
Adhering to the many food traditions and customs is an artful act in our homes. It’s as important not to eat some foods on New Year’s Eve as what to eat that day. If you eat fowl or anything that can fly, your good luck can fly away before the New Year. Also, you don’t want to eat anything that can move fast backwards like lobster, crab and shrimp, unless of course you want your good fortune to be left behind. But you can eat fish on New Year’s Eve. There is the belief that since black-eyed peas swell, eating them will cause your bank account to swell in the New Year. Greens such as collards represent dollars and when served with cornbread even more luck will follow. Rice is also considered a good luck food and Hoppin’ John is a favored tradition in the lowcountry.
