Uncle Manta and the Children of Pride

Born into slavery in Georgia in the mid 1800's, Uncle Manta escapes, as a child, to freedom in Bermuda. This is the story of his adventure, an adventure in body as well as spirit. Manta's story of persecution and eventual freedom was always guided and strengthened by the deep spiritual teachings of his people, expressed so clearly as they raised their voices in heartfelt song. As a child I had the privilege of growing up with an old man who was once a slave. This story tells of his life as a slave, the cruel death of his mother, and his escape, only to be recaptured and forced on a march from Georgia to Virginia, where he was loaded into a ship bound for Bermuda. Circumstances let him live on an island for some eight years with thirty other children who were also discarded slaves. He, being the oldest of the group, had to provide for their needs for those eight years. This story tells of how his faith and courage saved the lives of all but one.