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.
Black Health Heritage: Gullah Geechee Nurses and Their Legacy of Care
The Gullah-Geechee Corridor has provided the world with a good number of Black nurses. Those nurses range from Susie King, the first Black Army nurse during the Civil War to women like Katie Hall Underwood
Tips from Haiku Home on Surviving a Southern Summer-Cocktail Included!
A� We all love a great front porch and ceiling fan when we are raised in the South but we don’t love humidity or the sweltering heat. Here are Tips from Haiku Home on Surviving
5 Juneteenth Food History & Heritage Facts From Food Researcher Robin Caldwell
Juneteenth is right around the corner and one thing we know for sure, food is definitely on the menu for commemorating this holiday. Want to learn more about the food heritage of Juneteenth? We are
Explore the Roots of Memorial Day with Decoration Day – Black-Owned Lowcountry Food Guide
On the last Monday of May, many of us will be surrounded by close friends and family and showing respect by honoring the military personnel that is or were in our lives. We may create
Southern Fashion Must Have: Shift Dresses You Must Have
Southern Summer Fashion is a balancing act of staying cute and staying cool and the shift dress is the answer to that dilemma. Everyone Southern girl loves a great shift dress. They are the perfect
Tips for Redesigning Your Garden for the Summer
Summer months bring forth far more than cookouts, family gatherings, and fun in the sun. With the outdoors heating up, so should our skills in the garden. If you aren’t blessed with a green thumb
Lowcountry Juneteenth: Inspiration for How to Celebrate Juneteenth at Home
One of my favorite holidays to celebrate is Juneteenth. This year I decided to host a Lowcountry Juneteenth in my home with a few of my favorite Juneteeth foods and Lowcountry style. If you are
Easy Outdoor Summer Entertaining Tips from Co-Founders of Coterie
Summer is here and it is time to get ready for outdoor party fun! Whether you are headed to the beach or hanging out on the patio, hosting skills are always a must. Today we
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
How to Cook Hoppin’ Johns with Black Eye Peas
In the South, you must have Black Eye Peas for New Year. Why not try them with your Hoppin’ Johns. With help from Rashuanda Grant of The Carolina Cookery, we want you to learn how
Healthy Black-Eyed Pea Appetizers for New Year’s Eve
When bringing in the New Year, a few Southern traditions and superstitions come to mind! My mom always made sure that she did not wash on New Year’s Day because she feared that she might
Heirs Property Preservation: Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission Awarded Funding to Support Heirs Property Owners
One of my favorite parts about being from and living in Lowcountry is exploring the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. From exploring the food, culture, history, and landmarks of my culture, I wake up every
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.
