Americans of African descent are known as Gullah in the Carolinas and Geechee in Georgia and Florida. The Gullahs, who live on the islands; are descendants of enslaved West Africans. They worked the rice and cotton fields and made South Carolina, and other Southern States, some of the wealthiest of the American colonies. Before they were freed, the island inhabitants were offered a chance to purchase their land. More than 300 years after their arrival, the people who once thrived along the coast from northern Florida to North Carolina are struggling to hold on to their land, culture and heritage. This Pan African American culture has maintained its African culture longer than any enslaved descendants in America. The Gullah/Geechee culture survived in many areas untouched, because of the isolation of the Sea Islands. But now the culture and many sites, are threatened by coastal development; and lack of awareness, education and job opportunities among Gullah people. Read More.