Healing Through History: Reconnecting with Our African Roots for Holistic Wellbeing

Holistic wellness encompasses caring for our physical, mental and spiritual health. For members of the African diaspora, reconnecting with our cultural roots can be an impactful part of achieving holistic wellbeing. Our history, traditions, and ancestral practices contain generations of wisdom that can help ground us in the present day.

In this blog post, I want to explore ideas for learning about and incorporating elements of our African heritage into modern self-care and wellness routines. Discovering aspects of culture our ancestors celebrated can provide a sense of belonging and community while also promoting healing. Here are some suggestions:

• Research healing practices like meditation, breathwork, and medicinal plants historically used in Africa and passed down over generations. Incorporate techniques that resonate with you.
• Cook traditional African dishes full of nourishing whole foods. Make it a communal activity with family and friends.
• Learn songs, drum rhythms, and dances that connect you to your roots and allow creative expression.
• Surround yourself with African art, fabrics like kente cloth, and images of historical leaders to stay rooted in a positive cultural identity.
• Grow African herbs and vegetables not commonly found in Western grocery stores. Tend the plants as a meditative ritual.
• Consult a griot, which is a West African storyteller and historian, to learn your lineage and family ancestry. Gain insight from the past.
• Travel to the birth country of your ancestors, if possible, to gain firsthand experience with remnants of your history and culture.
• Talk with elder family members about childhood stories, lessons learned, and details of your family’s journey. Preserve your history.
• Join or form groups that explore African culture, empower the community, and pass down knowledge to younger generations.

Seeking out our heritage and upholding traditions allow us to move forward into the future with purpose. Our history provides a foundation as we work toward collective healing and holistic wellness. There is power in reclaiming our roots.