Remembering the Blood
Iranti Eje Conference Recap + Hibiscus Series Announcement!
This past weekend I had the honor of contributing to the apothecary room at the Iranti Eje Menopause Conference for the Global Majority1. It was a powerful three day convening of mostly Black women, femmes, and trans folks of all ages and walks of life who came together to offer medicine, indigenous wisdom, and strategies around menopause.
The theme of this inaugural convening was “Remembering the Blood”, speaking to the blood that flows through those of us with wombs, and the initiation called menopause that marks the closing of that portal; in addition to the ancestral blood that circulates through all of us, holding the DNA of our memories, traditions, homelands, and kin.
In the apothecary room, just outside of the main lecture hall, I joined a group of powerful herbalists in creating an array of herbal offerings to help hydrate and nourish attendees throughout the day. My main contribution to the space was my Kongo Cafe sorrel brewed with hibiscus, honey, and an array of warming spices. It was enjoyed by all with many folks literally stopping mid sentence after having their first sip, seeking me out to share that they tasted the medicine in the sorrel, and coming back for seconds and thirds throughout the day.
It was only right that hibiscus, with its deep purple-red hue, and blood nourishing qualities would resonate at a conference dedicated to remembering the blood. As I shared with folks about the medicine of hibiscus and the spices I’d paired it with, I realized that although I’ve been making sorrel and hibiscus swirl pound cakes for over a year, and studying its medicine for even longer, I haven’t shared any of what I’ve learned or why hibiscus (in addition to coffee) is such a central culinary influence within Kongo Cafe’s offerings.
With this in mind, I am beginning a three part deep dive on the mysteries and medicine of hibiscus. We’ll start with its origins in West Africa and explore how it’s embedded itself throughout the diaspora2. Then we’ll go back to the blood and investigate how hibiscus can offer us minerals as we enter the fall/winter season. We’ll end on a sweet note and dive into hibiscus as a vitality and beauty enhancer. With each post, I’ll talk about what I’ve learned through study, alongside teachers and peers, and through my own medicine making practice.
My intention with this series is to share the sweetness, fortitude, and wisdom I’ve learned from this powerful plant ally, and to move deeper into Kongo Cafe’s mission of weaving together indigenous medicine and pan-African solidarity. I invite you to join me and share any hibiscus stories you have in the comments!
Until Next Time,
Alexis
This conference was helmed by Black Girls Guide to Surviving Menopause founded by Omisade Burney-Scott. Learn more about the conference here.
This will coincide with Congo Week which is a time for increased awareness and solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I have a beautiful memory of sitting in the kitchen at yes please bookhouse and care space with a group of people peeling open mannyy hibiscus calyxes that we had just harvested from the garden for tea and whatever else people were dreaming of. We did this until our fingers were stained all while looking at and being read aloud beautiful childrens books written by black authors. It made my inner child very happy. I love this plant and this plant family! Same family as Okra and Cotton and so many other beautiful plant beings! I enjoyed reading this!!
Sweetness, all around. And that Sorrel looks potent in the most divine ways! 🌺