ISSUE IV
How Does Your Heart Feel?
Love Letters to the Motherland
From the Editor
Dossé-Via Trenou, MM Founder
October 14, 2023
Dear Ọṣun,
Oṣé. Oṣé. Oṣé. (Thank you. Thank you. Thank you).
Oṣé for connecting us so lovingly and tethering us physically and spiritually to the Motherland.
Oṣé for helping us see, love, embrace, and uplift ourselves, individually and collectively.
Oṣé for encouraging us to keep our hearts open, keep our Oris aware, and keep our spirits alive.
Oṣé for reminding us that nature holds the answers to so much of what we seek, and that we are nature itself.
Oṣé for being a mirror, reflecting our divine empress energy back to us.
Oṣé for reminding us of our sacredness, and transforming our lives for the better.
Oṣé to our ancestors and this 9th MM group for co-creating MMagic in the Motherland.
Thanks to you, my heart feels at ease. My heart feels safe. My heart feels vibrant.
Infinite love and gratitude,
Dossé-Via
My heart feels
Grounded because I was Aligned with the right people, in the right place, at the right time. Grounded because I felt present, calm and spiritually connected with nature’s elements.
My heart feels inspired because of meaningful conversations that truly were heartfelt, and healing. In silence I took my time to touch the trees in prayer, touch the waters in prayer, which in turn was an inspiration for me to do everything in faith, and confidence moving forward.
Overall my heart is In gratitude that the soles of my feet were able to walk on the spiritual soil of Nigeria and Benin. It was a beautiful experience. My heart is full!
- Cookie LaRode, MM Scholar and MM's Covergirl
@mscookiela_rode
“I thought I knew my heart before journeying to West Africa, but what I feel now is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Safe. Respected. Seen. My heart feels so much love and gratitude for each experience that led to this moment. The Motherland leaves me inspired for what is yet to come.”
- Ariana Garrison, MM Scholar
@ariethesage
is it possible for your heart to grow
in SIZE and in strength?
not saying i’m the grinch but i sure can relate
never knew how guarded i was
‘til joy ripped me open
exposing the capacity of
what this heart could hold
and once i let go
allowing energy to flow
love attached itself as if it had been waiting for
permission to access
and like muscle memory
the simplicity of being
existing
flowed through easily &
what once felt foreign
was now restored knowledge and this
heart, alongside love
and life whispered softly
‘here I am
this is what i want for you
this is what i have
THIS is what freedom feels like’
- Elexus Johnson, MM Scholar
@suxelee
Last year I asked to connect with my ancestors, little did I know that I would be the vessel for their healing journey back home.
When I returned, my heart started beating the rhythms of my ancestors, my tears reflected their joy, my hands and feet honored their walks, and I came to life in ways that I could not imagine.
Thank you Motherland for being the heart that I can always return to.
- Indya Enoch, MM Participant
@indyreneeenoch
Question: How does your heart feel?
Answer: Letter from my Heart
Africa, oh sweet serene Africa. I love you so deeply. You have truly changed my life. It was so electrifying and magical when my feet finally touched your soil. I say magical because until that very moment, I had no idea what it felt like to be in love, let alone love at first sight. No one actually activated all 5 of my senses collectively like you did. While around you, I never felt so SAFE in my life. You granted me the feeling of PURE femininity and I am forever grateful.
It felt so good the way you held space for me to authentically be myself without any regards. Your smell is something that I find myself daydreaming about. I often close my eyes and transport myself to the marketplace, where they give me some fabric. The aroma was euphoric. I wish I could bottle it up like Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Silver.
Your taste is the top tier of pungency. . Food has never rocked my world so much and made me sweat so much. You really made me burn some calories. You provided the best food that burns so good. Okay so..… once it was too much for me and my homegirls but I do appreciate the way you apologized with the beach date. The beach date was so romantic and breathtaking. Even though someone (Thomas) lol yelled at us not to touch your essence, you still managed to cleanse me completely. I usually cry at a body of water to cleanse emotionally but a tear never left my eyes. It was a joyous purge that washed the inner corners of my being and I can honestly say I exist differently.
My DNA has been upgraded. Even down to my hearing, the contracting sounds of busyness and calmness in the atmosphere made my heart smile. The affable conversations between each other via beeping the horn in traffic, selling goods on the side of the road, and service was all music to my ears. Yet, a double-edged sword; first, introducing me to the truest, rawest Afrobeats (the sound of Africa’s environment), and the reality that I am limited to the access living in America.
In closing, I just want to let you know that you are beautiful, and such a wonderful sight to see. The best cameras could not and would not do you any justice. I swear, I’ve never seen the Sun and its reflection evince like that before. The way you secretly kissed my skin with the Sun was so sweet and divine. That moment felt so close and intimate and I didn’t share this with anyone (until now). It was pulchritudinous and I can not wait to embrace your presence again soon.
I live by this philosophy, the only way to be great is to be grateful and I am forever GRATEFUL for this experience.
P.S. I really like you and I’m not usually this vulnerable so please don’t show anyone my letter. Lol
- Marketa Wilson, MM Scholar
@nevaehsway
After the Summer 2023 Magic and Melanin trip exploring Nigeria and Bénin my heart feels rooted like never before. Not just physically and spiritually but completely. I feel rich, vibrant and at home in my body. I had become used to operating in a constant state of consuming and caring for so many people & things externally while unconsciously neglecting myself. Now I feel free, to Be.. and to take pleasure in knowing that I am the source of all things. The mama energy was clear, “everything you need and want, you have, if you just open your eyes.”
Much gratitude to Dossé, the entire MM team and every single moment experienced on this trip. My existence is forever elevated.
Always in Love,
She Dannaya
- Shemaria Edwards, MM Scholar
@shedannaya
My heart feels full. I'm filled with a sense of belonging and rejuvenation. I've found a place where I'm welcome, where I can be among people who share my background without worry. I'm also empowered to connect with those on the continent.
- Sabina Dorvile, MM Scholar
@rayofsabibi_
My heart feels more at peace since experiencing West Africa. I was already confident, but something about me is more… sure of and at peace with myself. I feel blessed to have gotten the opportunity to go to Africa. My heart also feels proud that I took the step and did not allow fear to keep me from something I wanted - no, needed to do. I’m different, I now possess a level of calm that I had never achieved. I now know that colonization didn’t take everything from us. I felt at home in Africa. I’m so grateful for the amazing ladies I experienced this with. Africa is a vibe and going there healed something within me that I haven’t yet been able to name.
- Tressa Horton, MM Scholar
@tressaorreesie
Africa, once a distant dream, became a vivid reality during my transformative journey. Amidst the cacophony of mainstream fake news, there emerged a tapestry of experiences that illuminated the true essence of this captivating continent. Museums whispered tales of art, history, and culture, each exhibit a testament to Africa's rich heritage. The aroma of sumptuous food lingered in the air, inviting me to savor the diverse flavors that Africa had to offer.
Yet, it was not just the tangible aspects that left an indelible mark. It was the intangible - the deep sense of respect, the vibrant market-culture, and the resilient spirit of hustling that defined the essence of Africa. However, what truly resonated with me were the diasporic conversations. In these dialogues, unthinkable questions found concrete answers. Topics like moving to Africa, giving back, and forging a commitment to the continent were explored with unwavering conviction.
What struck me the most was the sense of kinship among us, the fellows. We were more than just companions; we were like sister cousins, bound by a shared passion for discovery. The natural flow of conversation and the genuine connections reaffirmed my belief that I had made the correct choice embarking on this journey.
In our time together, we shared laughter, shed tears, played, learned, gathered, and eventually scattered, each of us carrying a piece of Africa within our hearts. Even now, days after the experience, I find myself in awe of the profound impact it had on me. The desire to delve deeper, to witness more, and to learn the languages of this diverse land, has ignited within me. However, this eagerness stems not from a place of fetishization, but from a genuine longing for understanding.
I had once deemed this dream impossible, relegating it to the realms of my imagination. Yet, Africa happened to me, and I happened to it. Everywhere I ventured, I was assumed to be African, a heartwarming gesture that made me feel not just acknowledged but genuinely welcomed. The meticulous care and attention provided by the MM staff amplified this sense of belonging. They ensured that every aspect of our experience was meticulously covered, handling us with such delicacy that it elevated my standards, especially in comparison to my life in the States. Their respect for us, their organizational prowess, and their unwavering helpfulness underscored the exceptional nature of this journey.
Africa was not merely a destination; it became a part of me. The threads of connection, respect, and understanding wove together a tapestry of memories that I will cherish forever. This journey affirmed my identity and allowed me to see myself in a new light. Africa, once a dream, is now a vibrant reality that resides within me, urging me to explore further, learn more, and embrace the beauty of this extraordinary continent.
- Vonkeisha Gibson, MM Scholar
@letsmakeitwrite
Touching roots in Africa for the first time was beyond more than I imagined. From gallivanting the streets of Nigeria and Benin through the eyes of people who call it home, to communing with our ancestors and celebrating my Goddess sisters like Oshun, to creating memorable sisterhood and friendships with fellow bush peoples.
Being from St. Croix, I've been privileged enough to feel grounded in my identity as a black Caribbean woman however since planting my feet in the soils of Osun-Osogbo, I feel a sense of rediscovery, a deepened understanding to the history of my existence. Africa has always been the seed, and I'm a piece of its root.
I am not only Caribbean, I am Afro-caribbean.
My heart feels whole, aligned, one in one with the universe.
Thank you, Magic & Melanin, for this transformative experience!
- Whitney Frederick, MM Scholar
@mpressras
o p e n
to connecting, to connection
to sprawling across the landscape - letting everyone and everything in
to experience
all emotions
but especially j o y
I couldn’t help but smile, everyday
I made friends
had so much fun
took risks
challenged myself daily, to remain open
and it was so worth it
I’ve learned so much along the way
about myself, about my/our roots, about sisterhood, and communitas
it was beautiful, it is beautiful
My heart smiles on
- Chanel Prince, MM Scholar
@mai.thyme