Historic Charleston, South Carolina. The history of the benne wafer. The benne seed wafer has existed in the lowconntry since colonial times. Benne, which is the bantu word for sesame, was brought from East Africa and planted extensively throughout the South. May Many lowcountry recipes call for the tasty toasted benne seed, but none so loved as the benne wafer, a Charleston favorite. www.oldecolonybakery.com. Phone: (843) 216-3232. 800-722-9932.