
Tacoma Arts Live
Ranky Tanky

The word Gullah comes from West African language, meaning “a people blessed by God.” It is used to describe a culture born in the southeastern Sea Island region of the United States. From playful game songs to joyful shouts, from wrenching spirituals to soft lullabies, the soulful songs of the Gullah culture are brought to life by this gifted and Grammy Award winning band of native South Carolinians, who mix traditions of the Lowcountry with large doses of jazz, gospel, funk and R&B. In Gullah, Ranky Tanky translates loosely as “Work It!” or “Get Funky!” Come experience how this joyous group does both.