October in South Carolina carries a whisper of fall in the air. The land feels alive, its stories ready to rise at any moment, much like the traditions that course through our veins. I recently traveled to the Lowcountry with my father on a pilgrimage of sorts. Our heritage as Gullah Geechee descendants is both personal and monumental, and I wanted to not just revisit but deepen my connection to the places that shaped our family’s story—and Siwani Spirits.
My father’s roots run deep in this area. His father, Clue, grew up in Hardeeville/Ridgeland before the family moved to St. Augustine, Florida. Through our bottle, every grain of Carolina Gold Rice is a testament to these connections—to culture, to family, to the enduring echoes of history. This October trip became a time for honoring those connections while renewing our purpose.
Here’s my story of our time tracing these threads of culture, flavor, and legacy.
Stories Through Food with Amethyst Ganaway
We began our trip by breaking bread with Chef Amethyst Ganaway. Over plates packed with boiled peanuts and pimento cheese, we discussed her upcoming cookbook, From the Roota to the Toota, and the enduring power of food. Amethyst and I share a kindred resolve—to use our work to celebrate Southern Black foodways and their ties to the Gullah Geechee experience.
Amethyst invited us on a walk down to the marshes, where the salty sea breeze carried with it layers of memory and history. As caught some baby crabs and I let them crawl up my arm, I got to enjoy her and my father comparing memories of eating hearts of palm and chewing on the leaves at the base of the chutes of young palmetto plants, grounding the act of cooking in family and culture. Listening to them, I felt the tug of ancestral connections, rooted deeply in these waters and woods—they are a lifeline that has nourished our families for generations.
The Art of Grains at Marsh Hen Mill
Our next stop brought us to Marsh Hen Mill, where the meticulous care they give to heirloom Lowcountry crops spoke directly to me. This wasn’t just a visit to our rice supplier—it was an education. We learned how Marsh Hen Mill treats not only Carolina Gold Rice but a variety of other grains and beans with artisanal precision. This approach preserves the history and quality of each product, reflecting generations of farming knowledge of the Lowcountry.
Marsh Hen Mill’s approach is precise and rooted in sustainability, values we deeply share at Siwani Spirits. Their minimal polish milling technique keeps the rice’s bran layer as intact a possible without being deemed "brown rice", preserving its rich, nutty, and herbaceous flavors. Even the bran that is gently removed is repurposed as anti-caking agents or feed for animals, demonstrating a no-waste ethos that speaks to their craftsmanship. This level of care and precision doesn’t just enhance the rice we use in our spirits—it transforms it into a storyteller, carrying the history, flavor, and soul of the Lowcountry into every.
Standing in the mill, I thought of the generations of farmers of the past—those who planted, harvested, and celebrated these same grain. For us, it's not just about sourcing; it's about responsibility, about ensuring these grains and their stories endure for generations to come.
Breathing Gullah History at Edisto Beach
Edisto Beach was our next stop—a sacred encounter with the Atlantic Ocean that has cradled the Gullah Geechee people for centuries. The shoreline stretches like a canvas of memory, and my father and I took a moment to breathe in the salty air, listening to the rhythmic, if not chaotic (hurricane Milton was coming), roar of the waves.
Here, the importance of the sea to our ancestors’ survival came into view. The waters provided, protected, and became a cultural bedrock. My father recounted stories he’d heard from Clue's mother, Estelle—tales of fishing, of crabbing, and of family dinners crafted with what the tide brought in. I also indulged my inner child as I collected shells, reminding me of when I used to pick out the shells from the coquina street in front of Clue's house in St. Augustine.
Exploring Hilton Head and the Lowcountry’s Villages
Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, and St. Helena Island each revealed a unique layer of the Lowcountry. Spanish Wells on Hilton Head was calm and serene, the landscape itself a testament to the enduring beauty of the region. Bluffton, a charming mix of old and new, offered glimpses of art and craftsmanship that have carried through generations.
St. Helena Island felt like arriving at the heart of Gullah Geechee culture. At Gullah Grub, my father and I enjoyed plates of vibrant, homestyle cooking that transported us to family dinners at Clue’s mother's table. Meeting Bill Green, the Gullah Huntsman, added even greater significance to this visit. Listening to him speak about his connection to the land and his role preserving traditions reminded us of the many ways heritage can be carried—not with words, but with action.
We soaked in the art at the Gullah Visitor Center and Gallery, where every brushstroke told a story. The colors of the paintings seemed to breathe life into the tales my father shared. This was a place where culture wasn’t just displayed—it thrived.
A Smoky, Flavorful Stop with Rodney Scott
Returning to Charleston, we visited Rodney Scott’s barbecue restaurant, a stop that felt both personal and celebratory. Rodney has been an early supporter of Siwani Spirits, understanding what it means to carry your history forward through the work of your hands.
Sitting at his table, we talked about cooking as storytelling—Rodney’s whole-hog barbecue is not just food; it’s a testament to patience, care, and tradition. My father and Rodney shared memories of their respective elders, sharing simple wisdom about cooking that rings true for them both. As I watched his team work, I reflected on the fact that the essence of our craft is shared—whether it’s barbecue or spirits, the goal is the same. It’s to honor the past, feed the present, and inspire the future.
A Thoughtful Goodbye at the Battery
We ended our October pilgrimage at the Battery, the harbor breeze carrying the weight of history and the bittersweet ache of farewells. Amid palmetto trees and historic homes, my father and I reflected. The Battery marks a mingling of triumph, struggle, and resilience.
For my father, this visit held reminders not only of the beauty of the Gullah Geechee culture but of its sacrifices. For me, it served as a reminder of why Siwani Spirits exists—to celebrate, preserve, and honor this culture with every bottle.
Full Circle
This trip became a reminder that our work at Siwani Spirits isn’t just about crafting a product; it’s about passing down the stories and flavors of a sometimes forgotten legacy and its people. October’s crisp air carried whispers of Clue’s culture, my father’s wisdom, and the enduring will of the Gullah Geechee people. With every sip of our spirits, I hope you feel a little of this legacy too.
To family. To history. And to the golden seed that sustains us.
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