This collection of essays encourages a critical evaluation of the concept of "Florida" as a cultural and geographical entity and the influences and effects of the numerous African and Africa American-influenced cultures.

"A Florida Quincentennial book."

Part I:Introducing Africa in Florida -- Mapping Africa in Florida : into the lushness of history / Amanda Carlson with Robin Poynor -- An overview of Florida's black past / Nathaniel Millett -- Cross the water / Adrian Castro -- A conversation about "cross the water" / Amanda Carlson and Adrian Castro -- Gordon Bleach : a portfolio / Gordon Bleach -- Gordon Bleach : home can always be arranged / Amanda Carlson -- Part II : Seeking freedom in and out of Florida : slaves and maroons / African ethnic groups in Colonial Florida / Jane Landers -- African influences on Seminole beadwork / Thomas E. LaRose -- Black towns of the Seminole Indians : Florida's maroon communities / Rosalyn Howard -- From Florida to Veracruz : the foundation of San Carlos Chachalacas / Sagrario Cruz-Carretero -- Slave refuge and gateway : David B. Mitchell and the paradox of the Florida frontier / Andrew k. frank -- The Kingsley Community : beyond the plantation / Antoinette T. Jackson -- Part III: Forging new identities : African American culture in Florida -- Florida's African connections in the nineteenth century / Canter Brown Jr. and Larry Eugene Rivers -- Signs, symbols, and shells : African American cemeteries in Florida / Kara Ann Morrow -- Mother Laura Adorkor Kofi : the female Marcus Garvey / Vibert White Jr -- Barbecuing the diaspora : jerked pig and roast hog in the writings of Zora Neale Hurston / Andrew Warnes -- Ade Rossman's Zora Neale Hurston series : living Africa under the Florida sun / Robin Poynor -- Part IV: Connecting across the Caribbean -- Abakuá communities in Florida : members of the Cuban brotherhood in exile / Ivor L. Miller -- Crowning the Orisha : a Lucumi art in South Florida / Joseph M. Murphy -- The spirit(s) of African religion in Miami / Terry Rey -- Part V : (Re)making Africa in Florida -- Carver Baba Onabamiero Ogunleye and the sacred space of the Ifalola compound / Robin Poynor and Ade Ofunniyin -- Three Lyawos : a Transatlantic initiation / Ade Ofunniyin -- The sacred space of Ola Olu : a neo-Yoruba site near Crescent City, Florida / Robin Poynor -- Igbo masquerades in the Sunshine State / Amanda Carlson -- African attractions : Florida tourism gone wild / Amanda Carlson.