The Thin Veil: Poetry & Encounters with the Unseen in the Gullah Islands by Dr. Pazanta Byars

Paperback – Published March 30, 2021

by Dr. Pazanta H Byars, Ed.D (Author)

Enjoy 52 personal and shared accounts of encounters with the unseen in the Lowcountry including reflections, narratives, and beautiful poetry. Gullah spirituality is not just one type of practice, it includes a variety of personal practices where God is at the center of the lives of the Gullah people as well as the acceptance of sharing their living space with 'friendly ghosts.'

While growing up in Beaufort, South Carolina until the age of 14, and then returning for summers and finally my college years, I experienced many encounters and those who witnessed many unexplained supernatural events. As a matter of fact, it was so common that it just seemed normal. In my book, The Thin Veil, I’ve gathered several stories, 16 personal and 5 family testimonials, of actual encounters with the unseen in the Gullah Islands. Now, this is not a scary book, but it is certainly NOT fictitious. My purpose for writing this book was to demonstrate the beauty of the Gullah people and how we understand the reality of life beyond the physical realm.

Someone asked me, in regards to ‘ghosts’ in the area, if they should be afraid when visiting the islands. I told them that they should never be afraid because there has always been a respect among the islanders of their ancestors and other phenomena that they cannot explain. Nothing is going to pop up and scare the living day lights out of you…it’s not like that.

For example, as I share in my book, when I was a college student, I was visiting my grandmother one weekend in Beaufort. She had to travel over the bridge to the islands to deliver something to one of her church members. So, I went along for the ride…I just loved hanging out with my grandmother! So, once on the island, she parked about 25 feet in front of a church with the hood facing the church. I remained in the car because I knew that my grandmother was going to spend time visiting with her church member talking and catching up on things.

It was almost dusk when we arrived and eventually became darker.

All of a sudden, I began to hear church singing, clapping, tambourines, and foot stomping. They really sounded good, and I even said out loud, “Wow, they are sure having a good time in there!” A few seconds later, my grandmother got into the car, locked the doors, and had a strange look on her face. I asked her, “what’s going on..what’s wrong?” She didn’t say anything, so I asked a second time. She then said, “Pazanta, don’t you hear them dead people over there having church!? Look at the church…it’s boarded up. Those are spirits in there having church!” I looked at the church, there were no lights, no cars, no evidence of anyone in the church…and yes…the windows were all boarded. I cannot even explain what I felt, and as we drove away, we were very quiet and did not speak about it again that night.

Now, what I found interesting was that this church sat in the middle of two homes. It’s as if they built a row of homes on one side of the church and then on the other side of the church but did not bother to disturb the church…since it was known to have ‘church’ on certain nights. This is how it is on the island and in several places. I’ve heard many testimonies that the islanders hear singing and clapping in churches that are no longer attended by the local community. This is only one of the stories that I share in my book.

One thing for sure, if you don’t believe that God is real, you will definitely have to revisit your belief system if you have the pleasure of witnessing such encounters. I’ve never heard of anyone being hurt or attacked or anything like that. I’m sure that there are many who’ve visited the islands who have parked their cars on Lands End Road to witness ‘The Light’ that travels down the middle of the road with no apparent explanation of what it is or where it comes from. This “Light’ has many legendary stories attributed to it, but no-one knows what it is. This “Light” has been descending from the sky, traveling down the middle of the road and then ascending back to the sky ever since I was a child; I should say, I was told about it since I was a child, but it has been there for hundreds of years. They do tell spectators to not get out of their cars when they come to watch it…anyway…I’ve never been to see it and I don’t think I never will, LOL!! Haunted Beaufort: The legend of the Lands End Light - Explore Beaufort SC But, I do talk about it in this book as well.. I also share 28 of my poems in this book…so it definitely remains consistent with my love for poetry as well as my love and respect for the Gullah Islands. The people here are warm and friendly and you will definitely hear many speak Gullah. It is an experience that is like no other.

I must also mention that our family hosts the Original Gullah Festival of South Carolinal, which was founded by my grandmother, Mrs. Rosalie Pazant, along with my aunts, Lolita (who named the festival), Reba, Charlotte, and Marlena. We are now going into our 34th year of celebrating the Gullah culture. My brother, Thomas Roy Hicks Jr., is now the CEO and president of the festival. The ‘baton’ of leadership was passed down from my grandmother to my aunt Charlotte who was president of the festival for over 10 years, then to me, as CEO and President for two years, and then to my brother Roy who has presided over the festival since 2015.

I am so proud of my family members including Dawna Pazant, Andy

Pazant, Daborn Westbrook, Patrica Perez, Devry Pazant, Dareen Westbrook, and community leaders, Zadie Reeves, Isabella White, Latonya Brown, Dawn Peebles, and Sandra Davis who work hard to ensure the success of the festival including…also including Scott Gibbs, and Sharon Joyce-Millen, and our awesome Vice President, Anita Prather, who travel around the world as ambassadors for the Gullah culture and Festival with their play, “Decoration Day” They are also known as, Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk, so if you ever get a chance to experience this play…PLEASE don’t miss it!!!

Our Festival is held every Memorial Day Weekend, in Beaufort, South Carolina. To learn more about the festival and the culture, please visit, www.originalgullahfestival.org. You will indeed enjoy this book; it will definitely demonstrate the culture, mystique, and atmosphere of the beautiful Gullah Islands. Be blessed…until the next time….peace. Pazant

Click here to purchase The Thin Veil: Poetry & Encounters with the Unseen in the Gullah Islands