Binya Hilton Head

Binya Hilton Head: Gullah gift shop and cultural services on Hilton Head Island

Binya Hilton Head is a retail store and cultural project based on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, focused on Gullah culture. It opened in 2022 and combines a gift shop with cultural impact services. Its name comes from the Gullah Geechee term "Binya," meaning "been here," used to describe people native to the Lowcountry region and to honor Gullah heritage.

Store products

The shop carries Lowcountry and Gullah artisan gifts and accessories. The catalog includes artwork, books, bath and body products, cards, candles, Gullah sweetgrass baskets, Gone Gullah accessories and apparel, gourmet food, gifts, home decor, jewelry, and souvenirs. Products are locally sourced or made by small businesses and artisans, with a special focus on minority- or women-owned entrepreneurs.

Cultural impact services

In addition to the store, Binya Hilton Head offers cultural impact services including speaking engagements, curated cultural experiences, and cultural impact consulting. The company also has an event calendar and online education. These initiatives aim to educate about Gullah culture, inspire conservation and appreciation of the Lowcountry, and positively impact the community.

Founder and family background

The founder and owner is Lola Campbell, a native islander whose family has been on the island since the 19th century (eighth generation). She is of Gullah descent, and her great-grandfather was Reverend Solomon Campbell, grandson of a man enslaved on Hilton Head during the Union capture of the island in 1861, and considered the first Gullah teacher born and raised on the island. Her grandfather, Solomon Campbell Jr., was an early craftsman of boats and homes on Hilton Head. Lola Campbell graduated from the University of Georgia and Howard University School of Law; she is a writer and poet with a self-published book, an entrepreneur, and works as senior derivatives counsel for a major financial institution.

Gullah cultural context

The company explains that native Gullah Geechee are descendants of Western Africans enslaved on the rice and cotton plantations of the southeastern coast between 1750 and 1865. They were pioneers of spiritual music, basket weaving, art, cooking, and democracy. Many were part of the historic Mitchellville, known today as the first self-governed town for enslaved Americans and considered a model of democracy and the place where freedom began. Binya Hilton Head maintains that many current Southern traditions are influenced by the Gullah people.

Location and hours

The store is located at 556 Spanish Wells Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location and contact

556 Spanish Wells Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 · Phone: 843-715-9003 · Email: info@binyahhi.com