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.
Recap: 2019 James Beard Foundation Awards Yields More Firsts for African Americans
They are called the “Oscars” of the culinary industry, and this year’s series of James Beard Foundation Awards programming were filled with pageantry and glamour, including a red carpet event. Unlike last year, there were
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
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
Heritage Travels: Gullah Culture in the Hammock Coast
Over the past holiday season, my husband and I got to explore a part of South Carolina that I did not know much about. Although growing up in the Summerville, SC I was only a
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
“Get on the Good Foot” in Augusta, GA. – Celebration of James Brown’s Birthday (May 3rd)
This year in celebration of soul icon, James Brown, the historic Miller Theater (the second largest theater behind Atlanta’s Fox Theatre) will be hosting a FREE James Brown Birthday Bash at the theater on Friday,
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.
