Working with Gourds
Communicate with Spirit
Gourd art is one of the oldest creative practices.
For thousands of years, people across the African continent carved, burned, painted, and beaded gourds for decorative, functional, and ceremonial purposes.
Adornment
In this introductory workshop, we will explore ways to adorn gourds for spiritual purposes. You might make a shaker, create a lidded gourd for offerings, or design an unconventional altar within a gourd.
Contact us for Group Workshops and a schedule of Community Workshops
In this workshop includes:
Examples for inspiration
Demonstrations on different techniques
A rich choice of vibrant materials to use
Fertility Dolls
Ancient doll making for fertility
My maternal line is from the Nyaturu people of central Tanzania. When I was born, my grandmother gave me a gourd doll. Later I learned that these dolls were given to both children and young women during rites of passage for fertility. My grandmother taught me how to make them, and I have found them deeply useful in my own spiritual work.
In this experience, you will learn to make your own fertility doll using the traditional techniques passed down to me. I believe that sharing this practice can bring healing, connection, and expansion.
This experience is for people of African Descent
“Even one year after having worked with them, their thoughts, their comments and their approach still reverberate in my present life.”