ISIBELEKO

We must believe that we are the culture bearers, birth keepers, and medicine weavers for the unfathomable tomorrow. Together, we are the medicine.

As the world shifts, birth work and writing continue to be the keys to our collective liberation, not just freedom. While caring for our communities, we must pause to pour into ourselves. Join an upcoming gathering to reconnect to our callings to midwifery, practices from ancient cultures, and build a successionable birth community. The Isibeleko series was created to be a learning and convening space for the children of midwives, healers, and scribes. Prior experience and certification are not required. Come as you are. Attendees will be guided through teach-ins, integration activities, plant wisdom, and more.

Next Class: Afro-Spirituality in Midwifery

A two-part series for birth and healing practitioners.

October 20th and 27th | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

This space will explore the ways midwifery has always been an integral part of religions and spiritual systems. We will:

  • Deep dive into the overlaps of traditional midwifery and religion 

  • The different types of traditional midwives

  • Afro-spiritual postpartum recipes and traditions

  • How traditional midwives infused African spirituality (Hoodoo, Voodoo, Lukumi) into their practice

  • Explore the first seven rites of passage, their corresponding anatomy and physiology, and their years from birth through adulthood

  • Essential herbs, flowers, and psychoactive plants found in a traditional midwife's pharmacy

  • Two live online classes

  • Workbook to be used during and outside of class time

  • Access to the online Midwifery Library

  • Group fellowship with practitioners

All attendees receive a workbook and access to an online Midwifery Library.

From previous students

  • Afro-Spirituality in Midwifery felt like a coming home. I took a 5 year break from my birthwork practice because what I was trained to do as a Doula was limiting to what my spirit felt called to do as a birthworker. During the course, I felt safe and empowered to speak about these gifts and my experiences in a community of others who innerstood the spiritual aspects of birthwork. In that container held, I learned that what I experienced was more than normal, it was a calling, and I just needed time to be still, get clear, and remember.

    Tiara B.

  • What I’ve taken away from this course is the importance of embodying the spiritual wisdom passed down through generations. I’m learning to trust my gifts more deeply and surrender to Spirit’s calling. I’ve already begun integrating what I’ve learned into my daily rituals and into the spiritually intuitive care I offer within my community.

    Aliyah M.

  • This course helped me understand: Why I see birth and death in the ways that I do (Not just babies or even literal death, but also the process of shadow work and the “karmic” cycle progression or stagnation); Why spirits work with me in the way that they do. (Not just practicing in the strengthening of my gifts, but knowing how to apply them in active work/trusting them and the work.); Why I see life and all its “happenings” the way that I do. (Going back into my childhood initiations and retrieving the “clues” or “connections” to my unique way of working.); and And to further my unfolding of why is it that I am being shown this and how to move forward in deepening that connection and developing further into the divine “why”.

    Damia F.

  • It was a big step for me to take your class, as I've been in the process of reclaiming spiritual birthwork that has been lost in my lineage, and I am hungry for more spaces and communities where I can grow into this calling. While much of the information was familiar to me as a sister African diaspora religions scholar and practitioner, I loved and very much appreciated your spin on everything. I especially loved the way you talked us through the order of the elements we work with by way of the Dogon creation story, and your dive into the La Madama archetype to be able to trace back how she has been showing up for me. I also find super important your emphasis on this work as a lifelong calling--something to grow into eldership with--and something that should not be looked at as solely a career. All of that resonates deeply, and I share the same perspective.

    Inyosi

  • After completing my post partum doula training the message I received from one of my teachers and the pressure I felt through watching my classmates and their progress, was to go out there as fast as possible and to get as many clients as possible, to not question yourself etc. While internally I felt like I had just scratched the surface of what I am feeling and wanting to do and so I still had loads and loads to learn before I could sincerely put myself 'out there'. This pressurised world has been giving me the feeling that life has to peek in your thirties and if you haven't peeked there, you are on your way down and you might as well just label yourself a failure. But hearing Joyell say that the midwives were older women…the puzzle piece finally fell into place and I know now that there is no pressure. There is no rush, I am here at the right place, at the right time and it feels so good to see that now. Life is not ending; it has never been a linear thing.

    Donna H.