Birth HERstory Vlog & Podcast
Celebrating the HERstory of Black women in birth in the 21st Century
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"When you take something away from its ceremonial use and spiritual significance, it can no longer feed your soul and it turns into something that is harmful for you... The plants can actually tell you 'how do you use me and when do you use me and how much'. Those instructions actually exist when you open yourself enough into deeper listening."
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During one of my trips to South Africa I spoke with a sangoma (traditional healer) and told her about "the call" I felt toward certain spiritual work. I lamented that, sadly, most of the Black traditional healers that had been a dominant part of Black culture only 50 - 60 years ago had been (at best) villainized or pushed underground, and (at worst) outlawed completely in the U.S. I asked her where I, a Diasporic African disconnected from many healing traditions, should begin.
Her response? "You need to learn about plants." At the time, that seemed overwhelming and it was not an answer that I expected. Over the past few years, I have begun to see the connections between plant medicine, ancestral practices and traditional modes of healing. It was my conversation with Aysen Adelle Farag that filled in the missing pieces to my fundamental understanding of plant medicine. Aysen is a "medicine woman" and her journey to reclaim her African ancestral roots from northern Africa will inspire you and offer a path for you to follow if you desire to do the same. The unassuming manner in which Aysen presents plants as our medicine and part of our ancestral relationships will make it easy to see connections to plants in your own journey to RECLAIM. |
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Like the sangoma told me a few years ago, connecting to plants is essential to understand oneself as a traditional healer. Equally important is becoming acquainted with how our ancestors traversed and navigated through the world when they depended on their connection to plants and the environment to sustain themselves.
Enjoy this very thoughtful conversation with Aysen.
Topics discussed:
Aysen offers gratitude to her grandmothers, and her friend, Shireen. |
Listen to the podcast:
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Connect with Aysen about the sacred work she does with plant medicine:
Email: DreamingRootsMedicine@gmail.com Website: http://dreamingroots.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aysendreamingroots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lady_of_the_green/ |
What are YOU waiting for to start learning about how to care for women during the childbearing year? Whether you are considering a career in birthwork, want to learn to help your family and friends or desire to be a resource for your community, "10 THINGS" is your starting place! Learn from from a Black historical perspective... learn from "someone who looks like you"... STOP WAITING... START LEARNING RIGHT NOW! |
In other words, "She said what she said..." When we help Birth HERstories we are acknowledging the BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE that is happening around the world! When we share our stories, practices, or traditions from women of African descent in America, we help preserve Black Birth HERstory. It is our responsibility as descendants of African women who were trafficked to the U.S. to hold their stories and know their practices, so that we are able to continue their tradition of being self-reliant and self-sustaining as communities of Black women. |
Dr. Doula
My work is informed by my background – experiences, expertise, exposure, education & environment – as a woman, mother, wife, sister, educator, researcher, scholar, advocate, birth ally and legacy builder. #IAmTheAnswer #WeSaveOurselves
(Please note that the information shared on this blog is for information purposes only. Pregnant women should consult their PCP before following any practices found within the Birth HERstory Series Blog.)
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Note: Dr. Doula's educational resources are available to all with whom her message resonates; however, all services, mentoring and workshops will be presented from the historical context and perspectives of African women on the Continent and throughout the Diaspora. The needs, protection, and promotion of Black women are prioritized.
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