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Afya Ibomu is a entrepreneur, author, certified holistic health counselor, freelance journalist and crochet artist. She has just released her second crochet book, Get Your Crochet On! Fly Tops and Funky Flavas. Afya is also working on a vegan cookbook/guide that will be out next year. This book attempts to be an answer for all the questions that she has gotten over the last 18 years of being a vegetarian. The book also offers shopping tips, an eating out guide, nutritional information, and recipes. She has a monthly online magazine, Nattral Magazine, that an extension of her website, Nattral.com. It is a mix of health, culture, and style. Her inspiration for Nattral magazine, “My husband started his magazine, Ammo magazine, and inspired me to start mine. He’s very inspirational and on top of his business so it's hard not to do something when you live with him. Then I realized that a black, young, hip hop, cultural, holistic magazine did not exist and the response has been tremendous!”
She also just started attending Georgia State University this past fall for nutrition. Afya is studying to be a registered dietician. To stay healthy she just lives life. She eats a lot a green vegetables with every meal and drinks as much water as she can everyday. Afya has been a vegetarian for 18 years and a vegan for 11 of those years. She had her son at home and breastfed him for 16 months and would do it again for her next child. Afya thinks home births are the natural way, “Nature knows what it is doing and we as human beings survived for thousands of years with out doctors or epidurals. Breast-feeding is also a must for vegans because there are NO vegan formulas.” She believes the vegan lifestyle is a choice, but society makes it difficult to be vegan. People have been so brainwashed by commercials and the media that they think eating at McDonalds is better than eating vegetables. America is one of the only countries where fast food is a staple. Many cultures eat whole foods, vegetables, fruits grains, and very little meat. Deciding to give their children coco puffs or candy is not even an option. Afya believes veganism can be healthy if it's done properly. She has an issue with people who say veganism isn't healthy, but feed their children fast food, candy with artificial ingredients, and no fresh fruits or vegetables.
Afya detoxes seasonally. She has done raw food diets and many different types of detoxes and cleanses. She personally enjoys the seasonal detoxes that she put together because they are designed to detox two organs per season. By the end of the year, all of your major organs are cleansed and nourished. They also help you to keep you eating in check, “Because you do the detox, feel good, and don't want to just start eating bullshit immediately. So by the time the next detox comes around you should not have gone too far off a healthy eating regimen”. Detoxing creates an overall feeling of healthiness discipline.
As an Author, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Entrepreneur, Freelance Journalist and Crochet Artist, Afya Ibomu has built a dynamic reputation in the past 10 years by consistently delivering on her promise to educate, guide and inspire people to live a healthy, natural, and creative lifestyle. Afya lives in Atlanta with husband, stic man of dead prez, and their son Itwela.
Afya is currently the CEO of her holistic lifestyle company, Nattral Unlimited, LLC (www.NATTRAL.com). She is working on a vegan cookbook and she is a contributing writer to the monthly ezine, Free Your Soul: The Art of Living (www.fys.buttaflyunld.com). Afya continues to write articles, keep an active lifestyle and motivate her community.
" Parents should be in tune and pay close attention. Names and sounds are powerful."
In many African communities the child’s name is very important and is chosen wisely. Naming ceremonies are usually performed a week or two after the birth. However, a naming ceremony can happen at any time and at any age. The name chosen may be based on spiritual readings, time of birth, visions, and/or dreams. Parents should be in tune and pay close attention. Names and sounds are powerful.
The naming ceremony is a community event. It is a celebration. The community has a special interest in the child and is eager to help this new member of the community on its path. Traditional ceremonies usually begin with libation and drumming. A priest or priestess attends. In some West African cultures the father whispers in the child left ear, its name.
The mother and father then announce the name to community. The parents then tell the meaning of the name.
In some traditions the community forms a circle. The mother may place some of the following on the child’s tongue:
Honey for the good and sweet times
Salt for the tears and bitter times
Water for what sustained the child in the womb and now on earth.
The community also tastes the items.
An egg is sometimes passed around to each member of the community. Everyone gives the egg energy and states how they want to empower the child.
Naming ceremonies can be based on traditional African cultures or they can be made very creative and personal. There is no one way to celebrate.
Afrikan-centered doula support and childbirth education classes
The Tucker family has a two-year-old boy and five-month-old daughter. Their first son was delivered at a birthing center. Their daughter was delivered at home. Up until the time Chinyere Tucker gave birth to her first child, her only birthing experience was the common hospital delivery experience. She had been present for a couple of her friend’s deliveries. At that time she had not done any research on labor and delivery. But, she knew something wrong with the whole labor and delivery process.
"She and her husband decided that a natural, out of hospital birth, would be best for their birthing experience"
When Chinyere gave birth to her son she had taken a few childbirth education classes, including the Bradley method, and did extensive reading. She and her husband decided that a natural, out of hospital birth, would be best for their birthing experience. Chinyere saw the difference in having a well supported birth versus a hands-off birth. She was not compelled to become a doula until after the birth of her daughter. Chinyere faced many challenges during this birth but pulled through with the help of a trained doula.
Chinyere’s doula practice Traditional Birthing Services, includes many elements of Afrikan culture. She states, “I am an Afrikan woman. That is my foundation and it permeates throughout all that I do.” She received her doula training from The International Center for Traditional Childbearing which uses an Afrikan-centered model of doula training called Full Circle Doula. In most traditional Afrikan cultures the support doesn’t come from a stranger nor does the support come in separate independent pieces. The expecting mother’s support is continuous from conception through postpartum. This is especially important for New Afrikans born in the Diaspora. Chinyere believes that due to the many atrocities committed against Afrikans we tend have trust issues. We are cautious about allowing strangers into our inner circles. Not only can this adversely affect the progress of a labor, but it can also adversely affect fetal development during pregnancy. Breastfeeding and the baby’s temperament during the postpartum period can also be affected. She caters to her clients as if she was a part of the family. She provides informational, physical, emotional, and mental support. She cares not only for the mother and baby, but the entire family as if they were her own.
Traditional Birthing Services also provides childbirth education classes. Chinyere welcomes fathers, mothers, and grandmothers, etc. to join. This creates generational learning as it relates to pregnancy and childbirth. The classes include information about the missing components of a complete holistic Afrikan-centered birthing process infused with new information and information uniquely relevant to the New Afrikan experience.
"The paint and other decoration capture the emotion and personality of the parents during pregnancy."
Traditional Birthing Services also offers Afrikan-centered belly casting.Afrikans are well known for transforming life into art. Belly casting designs feature many Afrikan symbols such as ankhs, sankofa symbols, and so much more. The paint andother decoration capture the emotion and personality of the parents during pregnancy.
Labor and birth does not have to be scary: (Childbirth Education Classes)
By Chinyere Tucker
Although labor and birth can be quite uncomfortable, they don't have to be unbearable. Labor and birth will probably be the most strenuous physical activity that most women experience. In labor and childbirth, just with any physical activity, like running a marathon, or performing in professional sporting events, the body must be carefully conditioned for optimal performance. Performing certain activities without adequate preparation makes the task much more difficult and can often lead to injuries.
For many women (and men) labor and childbirth are terrifying events. The images we see of labor and childbirth portray maniacal mothers begging for drugs. Unfortunately, what we do not see is that there has not been ANY drug proven safe for unborn children. We do not see that the drugs do in fact reach the baby within minutes. We do not see that the drugs given during labor have many side effects for both mother and baby, some of which can cause serious often lifelong complications for mother and baby.
Additionally the National C-Section rate has exceeded 30%. This indicates that more than 1/3 of the birthing population is undergoing major abdominal surgery which was once reserved for emergencies. True birthing emergencies should only account for no more than 10%; A C-Section rate at 30% represents “emergencies” in epidemic proportions.
Two preventable components that contribute to this epidemic:
1. Birthing women in the US have become increasingly unhealthy, poor nutrition, exercise, bad habits etc.
2. C-Sections, an emergency procedure that has many risks and negative consequences, are being performed unnecessarily. They conform to people's schedules, misplaced fears, and pocketbooks.
Traditional Birthing Services Childbirth Education/Preparation Classes:
Teach both parents (and other labor support persons) relaxation, physiology, nutrition, and parenting skills.
Emphasize good coaching techniques for labor and birth management with stress control.
Advise you on how to be an intelligent consumer of obstetric services, emphasizing positive communication with the birth attendants.
Teach parents how to be prepared for unexpected situations such as emergency childbirth, and C-Sections.
Emphasize on the importance of breastfeeding.
Include 12 units of instruction with review sessions until birth and are small enough for individual attention
Provide information from an Afrikan-Centered perspective
All that and more in Childbirth Education Classes with Traditional Birthing Services.
Our next series begins February 2, 2008& May 3, 2008
Mothers of Black and Brown Babies (M.O.B.B.)
“Motherhood now that’s gangsta”
When my oldest son was a year old and I was pregnant with my youngest son, I was in graduate school. I was having financial hardships. I turned to the government for assistance with medical insurance and food stamps. After waiting for hours to see a service worker and providing mounds of documentation, I was spoken to as if I were unintelligent. I was told that I had to choose between receiving assistance and college. After giving her a very confused look, she basically told me to get financial assistance, quit school, or stay in school and receive none. I couldn't believe I was being punished for working towards securing a better future for my family. A professor of mine told me that basically my financial hardship by definition of the state, was a choice. I chose to go to graduate school. It was my fault that I was having financial problems. I realized that the system discouraged recipients from reaching for higher goals. Welfare to work programs is offered, but they only will take you so far.
taj’s advice to mothers who may be experiences struggle or hardships:
“Be a pillar of strength for your youths. They're watching. Motherhood- Now that's gangsta.”
Let us look at the scenario. A mother can get a GED and go work at Burger King. Burger King employment is better than no employment. But, minimum wage does not help the head of the household pay the bills. In order to keep her benefits she has to maintain this minimum wage job, versus getting a GED, going to college, and beginning a career. A career offers a job with benefits and the possibility of purchasing a home. Does she pay for her health benefits, childcare, and have $500 left over after paying all her bills? Or does she keep working at Burger King; get a section 8 government home where her rent is only $12? Her childcare assistance will be paid for and she will receive Medicaid for her kids. The mother still might have $700 left for herself.
taj anwar
State programs promote living for the now, not securing a future. These programs are financially needed, but they are a crutch as opposed to really helping people by being a temporary stepping stone. As long as the cost of living, food, and childcare expenses continue to rise and wages do not, this will continue to be an issue. All of this was my motivation for starting M.O.B.B. I wanted to give mothers like myself the courage to step out on faith and to want more for yourself. We are a resource in which I can teach mothers how to work around the system. In my case, there were times I would go without eating just so my babies could. I was breastfeeding my newborn son at the time. I had lost a lot of weight, but I would eat at one of my jobs to survive. I remember when the lights were cut off. I would study by candlelight and do odd jobs to hustle up some extra money to get them turned back on. I sought out a daycare center with social workers on staff to assist me with scholarships to pay for their care while I worked three part-time jobs. It is called the art of sacrifice, grind time. Grind time pays off, and that is what I try to teach sisters who reach out to MOBB for assistance. Don’t use us for a crutch; learn something, the art of the hustle.
M.O.B.B. provides the community with workshops, emergency food and clothes assistance, and letter writing campaigns to incarcerated mothers. When funds permit MOBBB offers new mothers a welcome baby basket with essentials: onsies, bibs, wipes, and diapers. Baby rattles are cute, but M.O.B.B. is a realist organization. Essentials and necessities are first. They do not provide formula because they are a pro-breastfeeding movement. taj believes women are taking control and becoming more assertive with what they want. Women have an innate desire as mothers to breastfeed, that's a proven fact. But society has sexualized breasts, making them an object more for desire, versus what they are for, feeding our babies.
M.O.B.B also supports vegetarianism. However, if families are healthy with other diets, they should continue their lifestyle. Optimal health is the goal. She feels a meat free diet can keep our people from becoming nimrods in the mind, spirit, and body. Like most in the south, as a child she had her share of fried chicken and turkey necks. But, today where so many of the meats are tainted, more fruits, and vegetables are the way to go. It is not only cost wise, but optimal for health.
How you can support M.O.B.B.
You can start a chapter in your hood and mirror some of M.O.B.B.’s programs, email them at info@mobbb.org, first to find out how. You can also support Crew Love (underground hip- hop shows), MOBB’s primary fundraiser, which is getting major hip-hop stamp of approval from the likes of Diamond D, O.C. El Da Sensei, Scienz of Life and Smif & Wessun.
According to Nestor Capoeira, the academic period of Capoeira is a very recent movement. Before this period, people learned Capoeira de oitiva or “by ear.” Simply put, they learned by example. Youngsters would see mestres or veterans playing in the street and they would mimic their movements. If the youngster was lucky, a mestre or veteran would accept them as their student. The student would continue to mimic their movements and the mestre or veteran would correct them. This was how the knowledge of Capoeira was passed on.
"Capoeira is a wonderful way for men to interact with their children."
Rearing children works the same way. Children mimic what their parents and other adults in their community do. While trying to teach Capoeira to my children in a classroom setting, I learned that the younger children learn in a much more efficient manner if I let them mimic my movements. As they grow into adolescence, they seem to learn faster and retain more information in a classroom setting. This lesson has been a fun one to learn.
Capoeira is a wonderful way for men to interact with their children. We spend hours playing Capoeira. I have realized that they learn much more in this manner. I learned that I have to slow down my jogo (game) to match them. In other words, I learn just as much as they do. As we all know, parenting is a two way street. We learn how to become better parents from our children.
Many have said that Capoeira is the jogo de vida or the game of life. In Capoeira, we play in a roda or circle. Many mestres have equated the roda in Capoeira to be a microcosm of the universe. In the same way, we can see our families as a circle or a cipher as some of us like to use. That cipher is essential to the bigger sense of community which is another circle. What goes on inside that circle affects the broader community and what goes on in that broader community affects the smaller circle.
That is why playing by example is important. If we execute a move improperly, our children will execute it improperly as well. If we execute it correctly so will our children who will then improve upon that move. This can be applied to all parts of child rearing.
Dan Tres OMi is a husband, father, b-boy, Capoeirista, and freelance writer who currently lives in Dayton, Ohio. He is the co-founder of E.R. CAMP (Elemental Renaissance., Children And Music Paired), a non-profit organization that teaches young people about the five elements of Hip Hop culture and Capoeira Uhuru Association (CUA). He has written for several publications such as The Frequency, Verbalisms.com, Portfolio Weekly, Originalthought.mag, Allhiphop.com, and is the co-editor of Thinkconscious.com . Some of his work can also be found on his blog, http://selfra.blogspot.com. Dan Tres OMi is a long standing member of the Universal Zulu Nation (UZN) and teaches for Grupo Unidade Capoeira.
Placenta Burial
Placenta burial is a blessing for the child, family, and earth. In many Afrikan societies placenta burial is considered a rite of passage. Placentas are not simply discarded like pieces of trash. The placenta was a nourishing life force for the baby in the womb. It too was the child's mother. As Afrikans we honor all that is divine and sacred. Today's society does a great job of dishonoring the divine. Parents who choose hospital births may find it challenging to go home with their placenta. Make the Ob/Gyn and hospital aware of your wishes in advance.
The Ibo of Nigeria and Ghana and the Balinese consider the placenta to be the child's twin. The burial rites that take place are elaborate. Among the Balinese, not only is the burial site the child's sacred space during hard times, but the family's too. The burial place becomes a spot for family bonding, healing, and growth. Where do families of the Diaspora go to ground and center themselves? The connection to the life force has been lost. The spirit must be respected. Children and families need their spirits re-charged from time-to-time. The placenta burial spot is the ideal place.
The placenta can be preserved in the freezer until the ritual is ready to be performed. It is usually buried in the family yard or a designated field. Parents who live in homes which they will not have access to in the future should choose a park, field, or home of a relative. Family, friends, and elders can come to the ceremony. In the Dagara culture a tree is planted at the burial spot. The community will tend to the tree until the child can do so on her own. This tree and site becomes a place where she can find her center. This spot is a great meditation place. Imagine meditating next to a tree carrying your life force. This practice also promotes womb healing for the mother. The earth too receives nourishment from the placenta. This ceremony is a whole ritual, it is holistic.
The placenta should be thanked for protecting the child during the nine month journey. Libation, prayers, and affirmations can be done. Blessings, affirmations, and stones can also be buried with the placenta. If you would like your child to be a musician, add something musical. The ritual can be performed in ways to fit each family's lifestyle. The ceremony can be followed with song, dance, and a feast. Make it a blessed event.
Blessing Way
The Blessing Way is an Afrikan rites of passage ceremony performed in the last four weeks of pregnancy. During this ceremony the mother and child are blessed by the ancestors and the community. The attendees are usually women only. The sistas are there to lend their healing energy and support. The new spirit belongs to the community, not just the parents. The attendees of the blessing way will support this child and mother during the blessing way and through life. The midwife and doula attend. A priestess is usually present to bless the child and mother. She may sometimes provide divination to give the mother-to-be more information about the child and her destiny.
But, a blessing way can be performed to fit all mother's cultural and spiritual lifestyles.
The Blessing Way provides more than just commercial gifts, but spiritual and emotional gifts. These will guide the mother during her rite of passage. Attendees can bring gifts that will assist the mother-to-be during labor as well as motherhood. At the most recent blessing way I attended some guests brought cowrie shells from their travels to the motherland and coffee plants. Cowrie shells symbolize fertility and wealth. The coffee plant is a symbol of the wealth and richness of Africa. Stones such as ukanite and malachite are great gifts because they aid pregnancy and childbirth.
Blessing Way Ideas
Begin the ceremony by opening the way with libation to the ancestors.
If possible have a traditional Afrikan priestess attend. The priestess can call on deities and ancestors. She can divine information regarding the child's destiny, mission, and much more.
Each sista should be smudged with sage, myrrh, and frankincense.
Set up an altar for mother and baby. Use colors such as blue and white to bring forth divine mother energy. Place fresh flowers, plants, stones, crystals, candles, etc. on the altar. Have guests bring altar gifts for mother and baby such as stones, poems, shells, flowers, etc. As each guest places their gift on the altar they will explain its significance.
Each sista should introduce themselves beginning with the mother - to - be, lighting a candle and stating, "I am "____", daughter of "_____". The mother - to- be will light the next person's candle. This will create a lighted cipher of unity.
A foot bath can be prepared for the mother - to - be with herbs and oils. While one of the sistas gives the mother a foot bath, the others can write words of inspiration in a journal for the mother- to-be.
Write down on pieces of paper fears concerning birth and motherhood. Burn the fears away in a fire – proof incense burner or holder. Use charcoal and sage. The paper can be smudged with frankincense and myrrh.
The ritual should be followed with a celebratory meal.
For more information on Afrikan rituals concerning children I recommend, "Welcoming Spirit Home: Ancient African Teachings To Celebrate Community" by Sobonu E. Some. http://www.sobonfu.com
Holistic Parenting From the Pan-Afrikan Perspective
Topics discussed include
Blessing Way ceremonies
Home birth
Vaccinations
Afrikan Birth Rituals
Diet
Rites of Passage
Herbalism
Home Healthcare
Homeschooling
Natural Home Cleaning Products
Cloth Diapering
And much more..
Holistic Parenting From The Pan - Afrikan Perspective is a guide for Afrikan families to have the confidence to parent in their own divine image. Order the book today.
