MANATEE COUNTY – It’s a little known fact to some of the connection people from Red Bays Bahamas and the City of Bradenton share.
“We are commemorating when our Ancestors left this region and went to Red Bay Andros,” said Daphney Towns.
Towns has helped organize the second annual Back to Angola Festival after archeologist in the Bahamas were able to link that African Slaves and Seminole Indians from the island first settled along the Manatee River.
“We’re bringing descendants all the way back from Red Bay to celebrate this is where our ancestors once lived,” said Towns.
Towns says the two groups settled near the Manatee Mineral Springs before being forced to leave by colonizers.
The Seminole Indians and the free slaves made their way to the Bahamas by fishing vessel and established their new home. “If you got to the Bahamas now, this is a little place called Red Bay Andros, and they have right at the entrance Welcome to Red Bay home of the Seminole Indians,” she said.
Sharona Woodside-Barr is from the town of Red Bay Andros, she says she knew of her Seminole Indian heritage but was surprised to learn that her ancestors once called Manatee County home.
“It was a total shock and surprise,” said Barr. “Also I learned so much and now I take that information back home and I share it with my children and mu siblings and everyone else there.”
Towns says she hopes to show through the festival how connected we are around the world and to spread the message of love and unity with this recent discovery.
The three day festival ends on Sunday with it starting from 3-8 p.m. at the Reflections of Manatee headquarters on 1302 4th Ave E.
