The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) unveiled a new Georgia Civil Rights Trail historical marker recognizing the legacy of Ibo Landing on May 24, 2022, in Glynn County. This is the first historical marker that discusses the importance of oral tradition in the remembrance of historical events.

Ibo Landing (also spelled Ebo and Igbo) is one of the most storied events in St. Simons Island history. In 1803, captive members of the Igbo tribe of West Africa revolted on their slave ship in Dunbar Creek. They chose to drown rather than be enslaved.

“The Ibo Landing marker explores the mass suicide of enslaved people at Dunbar Creek in 1803 and examines the cultural impact of that history, which has been passed down through the oral traditions of the Gullah-Geechee,” says GHS Marker Manager Elyse Butler. “With this new historical marker, anyone can simply walk up and learn more about the rich Gullah-Geechee tradition that helped preserve the memory of this act of resistance.”

Project partners for this historical marker included the Georgia Historical Society, Glynn Academy Ethnology Club, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, and the Saint Simons African American Heritage Coalition.

The marker dedication took place at 15 Market Street, Old Stables Corner, a property of the St. Simons Land Trust (SSLT), which is accessible to the public. In attendance were Sherri Jones, Executive Director of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society; Rev. Franklin Graves, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church; Amy Roberts, Executive Director of the Saint Simons African American Heritage Coalition; Sandy White, Education Director of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society; Rachel Waters, President of the Glynn Academy Ethnology Club; and Elyse Butler, Marker Manager at the Georgia Historical Society.