The historic Red Bays village in Andros, Bahamas stands as a symbol of legacy and pride not only to its local inhabitants but also to the residents of Bradenton, Florida, USA. It was in Red Bays that Angolan Maroons and Seminole Indians united, forging a distinctive community that has endured over time due to their migration to the safe haven of North Andros’s western shores. To commemorate this profound bond
between The Bahamas and Florida, the “Back to Angola Festival” took place from October 20-22, 2023.
Minister of State for Urban Renewal, Hon. Lisa T. Rahming, joined the celebration upon the invitation of Daphney Towns and Oaktree Community Outreach. The festival vividly brought to life the storied past of the Red Bays community with three days of music, art,
culinary delights, and cultural showcases.
Minister Rahming, reflecting on the historical ties between the two nations, remarked, “In celebrating our nation’s 50th year of independence, we delve deep into the narratives of our forefathers, especially the valorous Angolan Maroon community. Their relentless quest for freedom and the haven they discovered in Red Bays, Andros Island, symbolizes their unyielding spirit—a beacon for all of us. Today’s celebration accentuates the centuries-old bond, enriched with memories of Bahamians who ventured to Florida in search of trade,
prospects, and new horizons.”
Daphney Towns, the event’s director, shed light on the history of the Angolan Maroon community in Bradenton. “Formerly enslaved Africans and Seminole Indians coexisted and flourished here, with many intermarriages leading Africans to embrace Seminole culture.”
This year’s festival theme, “The Shoulders we Stand On: Honoring Angola’s Freedom Seekers,” paid tribute to the 202nd anniversary of the Red Bays community’s foundation.
These settlers, in 1821, found refuge in Red Bays after the British failed to support the Seminole Indians and Black Seminoles in their fight against colonial oppression in Florida. “The ocean bridging our territories carries enduring tales of bravery and liberation. From The Bahamas to Bradenton, these stories define our interconnected heritage—a connection time cannot erode,” stated Minister Rahming.
Notable attendees included Rhonda Bain, Seminole Indian from the Big Cypress Reservation; Lisa Gonzalez-Moore, Councilwoman Ward 4; Bradenton’s Mayor, Gene Brown; and Sheri Jackson, regional manager of the Underground Railroad. Events encompassed guided tours, historical exhibits, and traditional Bahamian cuisine and performances. Additionally, a Red Bays delegation demonstrated age-old skills, like basket weaving and carving.
An esteemed historical panel comprised Dr. Uzi Baram, Dr. Canter Brown Jr., Jason A. Brown, Sr., Dr. Sharron Jefferson, Vickie Oldham, and Stefan Moss. As the festival concluded, Bahamian gospel and Rake n Scrape artists, including Clifford “Big Bruh” Riley, offered soul-stirring performances, with Miami Generation Junkanoo & Miami Junkanoo Bahamas delivering the final act.
Source: Felicity Darville
More photo highlights below:
occasion at the festival grounds in Bradenton, Florida.
Lisa Gonzalez-Moore, and Daphney Towns as they commemorate the rich legacy of
Red Bays and discuss future collaborations.
