Self-taught SC: An Ethological & Artistic Survey: Sweetgrass baskets...a proud tradition

In the South, tradition is served alongside sweet tea. Traditions are carried on for many reasons. They can emanate pride, bring people together or simply preserve a heritage. For whatever reason, things continue to be done “as they always have” in the South, and SC is no exception.

A self-taught artistic tradition that continues strong in SC is the weaving of sweetgrass baskets in the Lowcountry. The art of the basket came to SC with the arrival of Africans from the West African coast during slavery. They brought with them their customs, one being the art of weaving the sweetgrass basket. Today, the art lives on a stitch at a time by the Gullah folk, descendants of the original African weavers.

Sweetgrass baskets on display (photo by Corey Alston)

Originally, the sweetgrass baskets were made for functional use. Their sturdy, lightweight design made them desirable for working. Some jobs they were used for were to clean rice and gather and store food and tools. Today, the baskets are made the same, as the art is passed from parent to child. As with the style, the the materials also have not changed. All the materials that comprise a basket are natural and local to the area. These include sweetgrass, bulrush, brown marsh grass, pine needles and palmetto leaves.

Close-up of the materials in the sweetgrass basket (photo by Corey Alston)

The sweetgrass baskets in the US are native to the Mt. Pleasant area. Weavers can be found along Highway 17 North in their stands selling their wares and also in the open-air market on Market Street of downtown Charleston. On our trip to the Lowcountry, Nathan and I met Corey Alston, a 5^th generation weaver in the market upon introduction by the owners of Black Cat Tours (www.blackcattours.com) Mark Jones and Rebel Sinclair. Talking with Corey, we learned the history of the sweetgrass baskets and also the role tradition plays.

Tradition is the reason the art continues in existence. Each weaver learns the art from their parents, typically the mother, and carries it to the succeeding generation. It is because of this value of tradition, a trait so common in the South, that the art persists in its original form.

Another interesting facet we learned about the tradition of basket making is the pride each weaver feels by carrying on the work of their descendants. By entering this profession, each weaver becomes part of something larger than themselves. In fact, Corey's business card is testament to this as he calls his work “a proud tradition.”

Corey weaving (photo by Corey Alston)

If you have met or seen these weavers, you probably know that the majority are women. During our time with Corey, we asked him how he felt being a male weaver. Beyond common knowledge, we learned the original sweetgrass weavers were men. Therefore, Corey informed us, by becoming part of this artistry he was carrying on another tradition, the legacy of male weavers.

Basket made by Corey (photo by Corey Alston)

If you are ever in the Charleston and Mt. Pleasant area, do not forget to check out these self-taught artists who have never received formal training for their multi-generational work. After all, you do not find a 300 year old folk art perfectly preserved every day! You can find Corey and his family at the top of the market at the steps of the Daughters of Confederacy building. You can also check out his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Corey-Alston-Gullah-Sweetgrass-Baskets/295865456703) or send him an email to corey.alston@comcast.net.

Palmetto roses made out of palmetto leaves (photo by Corey Alston)

Here is a clip from the documentary Bin Yah that explores the potential loss of the Gullah culture in the Lowcountry due to development. This segment focuses on the art of the sweetgrass basket weaving.