From sweetgrass baskets to spices: this SC boutique celebrates Gullah-Geechee roots
As a native of Hilton Head Island, Lola Campbell grew up with a deep appreciation for her Gullah-Geechee heritage and history.
Her family has been on the island for six generations and are dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of their past.
Today, she owns her own boutique business, Binya, where she sells cultural-themed items with a side hustle teaching others about the significance and impact of the Gullah-Geechee history.
“My aunts and uncles would often talk about the past, telling me stories about how they did things growing up, and I loved it,” said founder and owner of Binya, Lola Campbell.
The SC business
The word “Binya” is a Gullah-Geechee term that translates to “been here.” It is often used to describe those native to the Lowcountry and provides a sense of admiration for heritage and culture.
“For me, the name of my store is another way to help hold onto those pieces of Gullah history and keep the language in use,” Campbell said.
The Gullah’s heritage and culture have deep ties to the Lowcountry and are an integral part of its history. From food, songs and even decor, Gullah-Geechee heritage can be found all across the island.
“Put simply, my inspiration and mission is to preserve, share and educate people about the Gullah culture. I think that it’s so important for both locals and visitors to understand because our heritage is such an integral part of the island,” she said.
Campbell finds that through her business, this can be implemented for both locals and visitors of the island. For visitors, she can help them grasp Gullah culture through unique souvenirs and gifts that represent the island. For locals, she strives for her educational aspects like speaker events and classes to teach them about the area they live in.
What makes Binya unique to the Lowcountry is the curation of items available in the store. Campbell strives to incorporate art, decor and other home items specifically from Gullah creators. Some of the most popular items she sells include:
Art
From prints, posters, paintings and more, you can find vibrant and eye-catching pieces of art from Gullah artists. Some artists include Amiri Farris, Jonathan Green and Sabree Art Gallery.
Books
Cookbooks, novels and children’s books can all be found at Binya. Each book teaches and shares pieces of Gullah history in its own way.
Traditional Sweetgrass Baskets
One of Campbell’s favorite items in the store are the sweetgrass baskets. A Gullah tradition dating back to the 1600s, these baskets were used often for just about everything. Today, you can either display them in your home or use them to store things you need (Campbell uses hers at home to store TV remotes).
Jewelry
Binya carries a wide selection of jewelry made by local artisans and even some jewelry from Ghana and Africa. They also carry jewelry made from sweetgrass by local Gullah artisans.
For a full list of items Binya has in store, visit their webpage.
Adding more SC education
After about a year in business, Campbell recognized both a need and want from her customers who wanted to explore and understand the island’s history.
“People come in for more than just shopping,” Campbell said. “It always turns into a whole discussion about Gullah culture, my time growing up here and more.”
That’s when she decided to expand the business. Now, beyond the unique items she sells, Binya offers educational outreach programs. Some of the most popular are:
Food Experiences
Campbell and her family are well known for their recipes like deviled crab and other signature dishes. As a part of her educational mission, Campbell and her family often host an annual Friday night Fish Fry, complete with authentic family dishes to bring that sense of community.
Speaker Events
Campbell often participates in public speaking events, poetry readings and book readings at schools and other locations across the Lowcountry. With her personal experience growing up Gullah, she is eager to teach and share all that she can to educate the community and share her story.
Consulting
Binya also participates in consulting for businesses across the Lowcountry that want to host Gullah-themed events. Campbell helps businesses navigate their events and find ways to incorporate Gullah history into their events. No matter if it’s food or craft making, she can help bring Gullah culture to every corner of the island.
For a comprehensive list of all the educational programs and guidance Binya provides, click here to learn more.
Besides the educational aspects and unique items in store, one of the most meaningful things about this business to Campbell is the location.
“My store is located on family land that we have owned for generations,” Campbell said, “It’s where my dad was born and raised. It means so much to me to be here, and I know I could probably get more foot traffic elsewhere, but then the meaning behind this business wouldn’t be the same.”
You can visit Binya Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 556 Spanish Wells Road, Hilton Head. For more information, contact info@binyahhi.com.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "From sweetgrass baskets to spices: this SC boutique celebrates Gullah-Geechee roots."
