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Self-paced
Building Intimate Communities
Price
$
150
Weeks
3
weeks
Date
-
Access this course for free by joining Ijeruka Vanguard Membership
Course summary
This 3-week online study, curated and taught by Ivorian literary curator, Keren Lasme, is a multi-dimensional exploration of African indigenous philosophies on intimacy, kinship and community. Centring the work of Burkinabé author, Sobonfu Somé as our primary text, learners will be immersed into West African Dagara philosophy, belief systems and frame of being. From teachings on conflict resolution to intergenerational relationships, you will be introduced to ancestral ways of seeing, apprehending and cultivating intimacy with life, spirit, the self and our community, human and non-human.
What to expect
- Map out our existing or non-existing relationship with African literatures.
- Broaden our understanding of intimacy, kinship and community from an African indigenous perspective.
- Understand and envision new myths about African spirituality
- Learn about ancestor Sobonfu Somé and the Dagara people of West Africa.
- Co-design poetic approaches to conflict resolution.
Self-paced video lessons with accompanying reflection questions and resources.
- 5 lessons
- Curated readings and resources
- Community discussion space
- Video and audio, and supporting transcriptions
Course modules
Select module
Lesson
Lesson
1
:
Opening circle: The Library as a Site of Initiation
November 22, 2023
In the first part of the course, we will ignite the first flames of our study circle by delving into the notion of 'initiation' in relation to epistemology while pushing the boundaries of what is considered real, true or a valid source of knowledge. A book and an unborn child can be altars of knowledge just like reading and ritual-making can be knowledge activation methods and practices.
Instructor
Lesson
2
:
Sobonfu, Keeper of the Rituals
November 23, 2023
Our collective study is grounded and inspired by the teachings of ancestor Sobonfu Somé. In this session, we will learn about her and her people — the Dagara tribe of West Africa. By reflecting on her life and legacy as the “the keeper of rituals”, we will explore our own names and roles in community.
Instructor
Lesson
3
:
Intimacy as A Spiritual Practice
November 29, 2023
The embers of our metaphorical fire crackle and with them, we will share our ideas on intimacy which in turn will be enriched by the Dagara’s conception of intimacy. What is it ? How does it manifest itself ? What purpose does it serve ?
Instructor
Lesson
4
:
The Ash Circle of Intimacy: Conflict Resolution as Ceremony
November 16, 2023
We will identify our types of relationship based on Dagara belief systems and learn about rituals that pacify the heart and serve as intention-setting tools for healthy and effective communication and conflict resolution.
Instructor
Lesson
5
:
Mythmaking and The Poetics of African Spirituality
On this journey of ancestral remembering and listening, we filled our medicine bag with stories that restore timeless wisdom on the sacredness of existence and on our infinite interconnectedness with all things alive: with spirit. In this final week, we are invited to bring our own twigs, branches and logs to the fireplace to revive its flames and to spell new myths on African spirituality rooted in care and collective dreaming.
Instructor
Select module
Meet our instructors
Keren Lasme
Literary Curator
Interdisciplinary artist, writer, and literary curator. With a foundation in African Studies from SOAS University of London, Keren merges mythopoetic identity with the transformative power of reading. She envisions learning spaces as portals to freedom, healing, and societal reimagination, intertwining education, care politics, and African literature as praxis..
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