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.
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 Heritage Travels: How to Experience Middle Tennessee This Fall
Middle Tennessee could provide the perfect recipe for romance that includes whiskey, great food, carriage rides and copper skies. The region’s vegetation is beautiful year-round but fall arrives with a colorful treat to the eye due
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
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
How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve With Small Kids
As the New Year approaches, I am reminded of a few Southern traditions and superstitions. When we were young, my mother would remove every Christmas decoration before the New Year as she thought it would
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
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.
