Efforts in Preserving the S CSweetgrass Basket Culture

within the t t eSouth Carolina Lowcountry

Jerome R. Clemons, Jr.The Citadel Graduate College Charleston, South Carolina ,

South Carolina LowcountrySouth Carolina Lowcountry

FOLKWAYS ~ ARTISTC ENJOYMENT ~ SURVIVALSURVIVAL

FOLKWAYS ~ ARTISTC ENJOYMENT ~ SURVIVALSURVIVAL

Atlantic Slave TradeAtlantic Slave Trade

Carolina Gold Rice Economics

Gullah CultureGullah Culture LanguageLanguage Food FolkloreArtM iMusic

Ingredients for Sweetgrass basketsbaskets

Kiawah Island Ocean Course

Conservation ResearchConservation Research

The Art of Basket MakingThe Art of Basket Making

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Views & Practices of Basket Makers

• Sweetgrass has been • Educational outreach gpurchased from out of state collectors

• Residential development is

would help make sweetgrass more available

• Basket makers express no• Residential development is a reason for the unavailability of

t

• Basket makers express no preference regarding sources of assistance

sweetgrass• The dedication of local

land to sweetgrass

• Basket makers are willing to donate time to restoration effortsg

cultivation would help make more available

• Outside assistance would• Outside assistance would help make sweetgrass more available

RecommendationsRecommendations•• Protect artisans work through authenticityProtect artisans work through authenticity

•• Encourage sustainable growth of sweetgrassEncourage sustainable growth of sweetgrass

•• Create an environment that is responsible for Create an environment that is responsible for sharing and teaching the tradesharing and teaching the trade

•• Copyright/trademark Copyright/trademark “lowcountry sweetgrass basket”“lowcountry sweetgrass basket”y gy g

•• Model Model –– The Indian Arts and Crafts BoardThe Indian Arts and Crafts Board

LINKSLINKS

• www sweetgrassfestival orgwww.sweetgrassfestival.org

• www.africanart.org/exhibitions

• http://www cofc edu/sustainability/sweetgrass%• http://www.cofc.edu/sustainability/sweetgrass%20brochure.pdf

htt // f d / it / lkLXJ8MQK H/b• http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.4537265/

htt // d i /i b/ i i ht l• http://www.doi.gov/iacb/mission.html

Jerome Clemons, Jr. ‐ jeromeclemons@gmail.com