A Candid Conversation with a Historian & Herbalist of Southern Black Midwife Traditions

"What we throw away, somebody picks up, repackages it, and sells it to you and then you want to buy it... Your assimilation and throwing away of  your culture does not help you and you end up being lost." ~ Divine Bailey-Nicholas

From the moment this interview began, I knew that it would be special. The southern girl in me instantly felt a connection with Divine Bailey-Nicholas and the knowledge and experiences she was sharing. Before we ever talked about herbalism, our conversation revolved more around the rich Black culture of the South, how it developed and the importance of its legacy to our longevity as Black people and Black birth in this country.

​Divine is the creator of Grandma's Hands Pregnancy and Postpartum Herbs & Nutrition in the Southern Tradition, a "6 week Online Course Focusing on the Herbs and Healing Modalities Historically used by Black Southern Midwives." She is not only a birth worker and herbalist, but also a repository of Southern history explaining ways that southern birth and postpartum traditions have influenced various aspects of broader Black culture and even the Black church in previous generations. 

​​This extensive interview with Divine is divided into two parts. In the first part, Divine provides historical context for southern Black culture, which is important to fully embrace the historical context of birth among Diasporic Africans in the U.S. In the second part, she shares about herbs and how you can develop a healing relationship with plants around you.

​Topics discussed:

• The connection between northern and southern traditions in Black communities
• ​Considering "the branches" of your family
• Our history and Black culture in plain sight
• Protecting the legacy of Black midwives 
• The similarities in the diversity of Black American Culture
• Valuing others cultures more the we value our own culture
• The intermingling of religion and Black birth culture
• The value of the south to the African American’s story and honoring Southern traditions 
• The herbalist as a healer
• BEING in your community and NOT BEING a Savior
• RE-MEMBERING who you are
• The danger of revisioning YOUR OWN history
• How Black Birth workers are viewed in their communities
• How to SURVIVE and THRIVE as a Black birth worker in Black Communities
• The need for cultural competency within Black communities​

Listen to the Podcast:

You can connect with Divine to learn about her current workshops and  the work she is doing:

Website: https://www.divinebirthwisdom.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivineBirthWisdom/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinebirthwisdom/
Non-profit: http://communitybirthcompanion.org/
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