Field Note #55
On sourcing for ceremony & worldbuilding with my farmer friends
In the midst of the many May showers, I found myself surrounded with an abundance of connection, joy, play, and ceremony. Here’s a taste of what me and my folks in Durham have been up to along with some excerpts from my journal as I was experiencing these moments.
I’ve been picking flowers and playing with African textiles. Feeling the weight of kente and mudcloth against my hands. Being in ceremony after ceremony I’ve emerged smelling of coffee, shea butter, and the flesh of coconut…
Coffee Ceremony for Black Organizers
Last month I was invited by NCBLOC, a Black organizing collective, to hold coffee ceremony for their annual rest and play retreat. It was a revelation to have both the space and resources to do exactly what I envisioned when creating Kongo Cafe.
In the days before the retreat, I harvested snapdragon flowers from my job in an array of pinks, yellows, oranges, and fuscia. I stopped by Little Waves Roastery to retreive my order of freshly roasted coffee beans sourced from a community co-op in Chiapas, Mexico. I visited Exotique, a local African textile and gift shop on W Main street, to source some fabrics for the table. The seller and I had a time playing with fabrics, comparing colors and textures until we found the perfect combo.
All of the handpicked and crafted components of the ceremony came together and I curated a beautiful offering for the NCBLOC retreat. I reveled in the possibilities that emerge when I’m resourced in my work; as well as the local ecosystem of growers, artists, and business that are being woven into the rhythm of Kongo Cafe.
I’ve sung under the new moon, stoked internal and external flames of passion, community, and friendship. I’ve placed my hands in the dirt, fingertips warmed by the pulsing aliveness beneath. I became more alive…
Growing Herbs with Small Rain Farm
As part of my slow shift towards offering herbal medicine, I’ve begun growing herbs to source my budding apothecary. My friend and farm mentor, Nikki, has graciously allowed me to work out of her farm, Small Rain Farm, in Hurdle Mills. It’s been a sweet and slow experience with its own ups and downs as I continue to create balance between working full time, community commitments, and tending to my own wellbeing.
You can get veggies and seedlings from Small Rain Farm at the Durham Black Farmers’ Market every 1st & 3rd Sunday!
I’ve watched my friends activate indigenous crafts, weaving liberation into every seam. I’ve sweetened myself with vanilla bean and hugs. I’ve baked cakes and cooked down greens. I’ve become a walking hearth/finding and sowing nourishment wherever I go…
Dìèdìè Textile Farm & Mill
My brilliant friend, adé, is creating a texitle farm and micro mill right here in Durham! Last month they hosted a community work day where we planted indigo, marigold, and flax which will eventually become dyes and fabrics handcrafted by adé!
After we finished planting seedlings, I sat in their studio and we talked about our future dreams and their annual Black Noise for Black August mixtape while they worked on a weaving project.
**You can sign up for Dìèdìè updates here.
Community Bulletin
Moms on Main hold weekly protests for Palestine on Wednesdays from 5:15pm-6:15pm on the corner of Main & Broad st in Durham
People’s Solidarity Hub will be screening Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat this Saturday at 11am. Masks required. See this post for more info
Until Next Time,
Alexis
