Arts & Culture

The Beauty of Sapelo Island

A look at the Georgia island's Gullah Geechee culture
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As a steward of the Sea Islands’ deep-rooted Gullah Geechee culture, Bailey, bears the tourch of Sapelo Island ancestors she can trace clear back to West Africa.

As a steward of the Sea Islands’ deep-rooted Gullah Geechee culture, Bailey, bears the tourch of Sapelo Island ancestors she can trace clear back to West Africa.

Photo: Imke Lass

Sapelo’s Cabretta Beach.

Sapelo’s Cabretta Beach.

Photo: Imke Lass

Two of the Sapelo Island Birdhouse Cottages.

Two of the Sapelo Island Birdhouse Cottages.

Photo: Imke Lass

The island’s sour oranges are ideal for marmalade.

The island’s sour oranges are ideal for marmalade.

Photo: Imke Lass

At eleven miles long with 16,500 protected acres, Sapelo is Georgia’s fourth largest island.

At eleven miles long with 16,500 protected acres, Sapelo is Georgia’s fourth largest island.

Photo: Imke Lass

Dr. Bill Thomas with a stalk of sugarcane.

Dr. Bill Thomas with a stalk of sugarcane.

Photo: Imke Lass

This year surgarcane—a plant no one has grown commercially here in a hundred years—will join heirloom Sapelo red peas on the land Bailey’s forebearers worked long ago.

This year surgarcane—a plant no one has grown commercially here in a hundred years—will join heirloom Sapelo red peas on the land Bailey’s forebearers worked long ago.

Photo: Imke Lass

Dolls made by a local artist.

Dolls made by a local artist.

Photo: Imke Lass

Spanish moss shades Sapelo’s old country store.

Spanish moss shades Sapelo’s old country store.

Photo: Imke Lass

Sapelo’s primordial landscape.

Sapelo’s primordial landscape.

Photo: Imke Lass

Traditional Sapelo Island red peas.

Traditional Sapelo Island red peas.

Photo: Imke Lass

Bailey holds Sapelo red peas.

Bailey holds Sapelo red peas.

Photo: Imke Lass

Cornelia Bailey near her home in Hog Hammock.

Cornelia Bailey near her home in Hog Hammock.

Photo: Imke Lass

A bench on the porch of Bailey’s guesthouse, the Wallow.

A bench on the porch of Bailey’s guesthouse, the Wallow.

Photo: Imke Lass

Located on Sapelo, St. Luke Baptist Church will observe its 131st anniversary this year.

Located on Sapelo, St. Luke Baptist Church will observe its 131st anniversary this year.

Photo: Imke Lass

Sapelo Island is separated from the mainland by the nine-foot tides and big water of Sapelo and Doboy Sounds.

Sapelo Island is separated from the mainland by the nine-foot tides and big water of Sapelo and Doboy Sounds.

Photo: Imke Lass

Island oranges.

Island oranges.

Photo: Imke Lass

Nearly every coastal animal species in the South lives on Sapelo, including many varieties of shore birds.

Nearly every coastal animal species in the South lives on Sapelo, including many varieties of shore birds.

Photo: Imke Lass

Photo: Imke Lass