african goddesses series @ arboretum

African traditions from West to East and the African diaspora revere female deities who embody unique traits. These Oriṣas, Lwas, Wintis or deities as they are variously known, represent various aspects and possibilities of feminine being, and of nature (wind, river water, ocean, earth, etc.)

In this 15 week series, we will explore the energies and movements of 7 African goddesses – Nana, Mambo Ayizan, Ayida Wedo, Ezili Freda, Ọ̀ṣun, Yemọja and Ọya.  Through dance, storytelling, song, reflective practices and improvisation we will come to know and more fully embody and inhabit our own divine feminine* thus expanding how we come to our feminine selves*, our divine selves, and our selves in communion with nature.

Let the goddesses teach you, let the goddesses guide you.

* the series is open to and recommended to all genders to encourage exploration of the feminine side we all have.

LOCATION: Nairobi Arboretum

DAY: Saturday

TIME: 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

STRUCTURE

The series will run for 4 sessions at a time and break for a week thereafter, starting 17th August and ending 14th December [4 sessions, 1 week break, 4 sessions, 1 week break, 4 sessions, etc].

Dates are: 17.08, 24.08, 31.08, 07.09 [break on the 14th], 21.09, 28.09, 05.10, 12.10 [break on the 19th], 26.10, 02.11, 09.11, 16.11 [break on the 23rd], 30.11, 07.12, 14.12 [finish]

We explore a goddess for 2 sessions. In the 1st session we are introduced to the Goddess, her cultural background, story, and enter into her energy through a short meditation, and a choreographed dance piece. In the 2nd session, we go deeper into the Goddess’s energy learning about offerings to them including song, another meditation, and exploration of our unique ways of expressing the Goddess’s energy through improvisation leading to a longer choreography that we co-create and dance, and close with a sharing.

Always wear clothes you can move in. No jeans. And bring water.

??s and to reserve: wakamonji[at]gmail[dot]com

COST

This series is offered on a sliding scale cost basis with tickets ranging from 700 to 1,750 per session to be paid in full for the whole series, or through a 4 part payment plan of 4 sessions at a time, upon request.

Note, the Arboretum charges a 50 KES entry charge payable by MPESA that is separate to the series cost.

I encourage you to read my full thoughts on the sliding scale and accessible and equitable value exchange systems available here. Here is a brief summary:

A guide to using Wangũi’s sliding scale

The Standard tickets are the actual cost of the series (2 hour sessions over 15 weeks). If you choose a ticket price below the top tier you are receiving a discount. The top price is a Pay It Forward ticket that allows you to support other community members in attending this series. Consider selecting this ticket if you would like to redistribute your resources, support your community, and enable more people access the healing power of movement. The Accessible Goddess tickets are for those who are able to meet their basic needs but have medium-to-little expendable income. Paying for this series may qualify as a sacrifice but it would not create hardship. The Community Supported ticket is for those who struggle to meet basic needs and paying for this series would still be a significant hardship.

Please see Wort and Cunning’s excellent write up on the difference between sacrifice and hardship, and many thanks to her for clarifying these terms. Here is a small summary:

“If paying for a class, product, or service would be difficult, but not detrimental, it qualifies as a sacrifice. You might have to cut back on other spending in your life (such as going out to dinner, buying coffee, or a new outfit), but this will not have a long term harmful impact on your life. It is a sacred sacrifice in order to pursue something you are called to do. If, however, paying for a class, product, or service would lead to a harmful impact on your life, such as not being able to put food on the table, pay rent, or pay for your transportation to get to work, then you are dealing with hardship.”

There are a limited number of discounted tickets at accessible and community supported tiers so select these only if you truly need them.

Fill out the form below to apply for one of the subsidised levels before you select a ticket. For Pay It Forward and Standard levels, after you RSVP, I will email you to set up payment.

For a limited amount of time I have re-opened sliding scale applications. Note that the sliding scale applies for people intending to do all the remaining sessions of the series (7 sessions)

 

~~ Depending on numbers, the series will be open to drop-ins on some days, for a cost of 1,750 per session (not on the sliding scale) ~~

The African Goddesses Series is also available for private groups (min 5 people), or organisations on request. See here

Bookings

Bookings are closed for this event.

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