Our History
WALADLI/WADADLI
(When Columbus was near Redonda on November 11, 1593, he sighted the island the Caribs called “WALADLI” named it “Santa Maria la Antigua” after a miracle working Virgin shrine in a chapel of Seville Cathedral, Spain.
The Carib’s name of “Waladli”, (called “WADADLI” by today’s people) was found in a French missionary’s Carib dictionary. The name is very close to the Amerindian word “wadli”, which means fish oil. The Dominica Caribs had very little reefs to collect natural resources, whereas Antigua had many, so the Amerindians may have come to Antigua to collect shark and other oils in the reef environment. These oils would have been used for lighting and medicinal purposes.
The First Peoples of Antigua were the archaic Indians who settled at Jolly Beach; later over the years the Amerindians arrived from South America to settle the islands. These Amerindians introduced from South America most of the fruits and vegetables we eat and use today. Paw-paw, red-pepper, calabash, avocado, cashew, soursop, genip, guava, sweet potato, peanut, string beans, tobacco, and the Royal Palm are examples, There are no traces of the Amerindian speaking people on the island today, but their artifacts and way of life are on display at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.
WA’OMONI
The Amerindian name for Barbuda was “Wa’omoni”. It is thought to mean the “Island of Herons” after the large birds found on the island; these would include the Frigate or Weather Bird, so common in Barbuda.
In 1628, settlers from St. Kitts knew Barbuda as “Dulcina” for its “excellence and pleasantness “but the name soon reverted back to Barbuda. The island has its share of names attributed to natural features and to its flora and fauna. Examples are: Two-foot Bay, Pigeon Cliff, Pelican Bay, Palmetto Point, Oyster Pond, Cedar-tree Point, Goat Island, Kid Island, Hog Point and Tobacco Gut.
There are several local names of picturesque nature, Tumbly Wood, Found Out, Spiney Hill Perk, Picus Well, Kakie Hill, Boney Mangrove, Box Cape and Benter Will.
Antigua and Barbuda, or Wadadli and Wa’ Omoni as the original inhabitants called them, are famous for their beautiful white and pink sand beaches. So, if you want to spend your time here soaking up the sun and surf no one could blame you. But if you want to go a bit further and explore the unique experiences, we have to offer you can start with a taste of Wadadli and Wa’Omoni.
Book in advance and don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy our twin islands from a completely different view.
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Book in advance and don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy our twin islands from a completely different view.
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Antigua Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association
PO Box 454, Island House, Newgate Street, St. John’s, Antigua
Phone: (268) 462 0374 / 462 3703
Fax: (268) 462 3702
E-Mail: abhta@antiguahotels.org
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