THE WATER BROUGHT US
The Story of the Gullah-Speaking People
by Muriel Miller Branch
``Gullah is both a language and a people,'' Miller states in her first book, and she goes on to explore the history, heritage, and culture of these descendants of slaves in a mix of memoir and workmanlike exposition. ``Gullah'' refers to the mix of English and West African languages as well as the 150,000 African-Americans who live along the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia, especially on the Sea Islands. Miller effectively limns the religious faith and traditions, folklore, language, and arts of this fascinating group; she strikes an inspirational tone by weaving much personal observation and anecdote into the text. The result, a melange of interviews, oral history, and background facts, is not completely successful, but most readers will find this compelling material. Miller's is a unique contribution, filling a significant gap in African-American history; the book should be on every shelf. (b&w photographs, reproductions, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10+)