South Carolina Artist Sets Record With Giant Sweetgrass Basket

A South Carolina artist just wove his way into the record books while honoring his ancestors and preserving a fading cultural tradition.

Corey Alston of Snowden, South Carolina, earned a Guinness World Record for creating the largest sweetgrass basket ever made. The massive basket, lovingly named "Big Percy," measures 44 inches long, 43 inches wide, and stands an impressive 52 inches tall.

The South Carolina State Museum honored Alston Friday for his achievement. Big Percy will remain on permanent display there for visitors to marvel at the intricate craftsmanship.

But for Alston, this record means so much more than personal glory. He's carrying forward a 300-year-old art form practiced by the Gullah people along the Carolina coast, a tradition that traces back to enslaved Africans who brought their basket-weaving skills from West Africa.

"If you don't know who we are, the Gullah culture, we're able to take a deep breath, inhale of, yes, we're still here, we're still thriving, we're still moving," Alston said. "It's bigger than Corey Alston."

Today, sweetgrass basket weavers can still be found at Charleston City Market and along Highway 17. But the tradition risks fading from public consciousness despite its rich history.

The Ripple Effect

Dr. Ramon Jackson, Curator of Cultural History at the museum, called the moment watershed. "To put Gullah craftsmanship on the map for the world to see in this way is so special," he said.

Alston sees Big Percy as a beacon for awareness and cultural preservation. The basket helps the Gullah community be seen and recognized as a thriving coastal culture with roots stretching back centuries.

His motivation comes from responsibility, not recognition. "You're not really doing it for accolades," Alston explained. "We're doing it for the right reasons because the next generation has to keep it alive."

Someone wove before him, and someone wove before them. Now Alston proudly carries the torch as a spokesman for the Gullah Geechee community, ensuring their artistry and heritage continue for generations to come.