Ep. 24: Creating Inclusion by Listening and Learning with Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani

The Queer Spirituality Podcast

About The Guest(s):

Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani is an award-winning writer, educator, and spirit woman. She is an 8th generation witch, Egun medium, and priestess of Oya in the Yoruba system of spirituality. Mawiyah is the editor-in-chief of the culture in Afrikan traditional spirituality e-zine Oya N'Soro. She is also the host of FishHeadsinRedGravy, a podcast dedicated to celebrating marginalized people of the esoteric occult world. Mawiyah's writings have appeared in numerous magazines, and she has won several awards for her plays and literary work. She currently lives in Louisiana, where she conducts rituals, consultations, workshops, and divinations.

Summary:

Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani is a writer, educator, and spirit woman who practices Hoodoo, a form of African American folk magic. In this episode, she discusses the inclusive nature of Hoodoo and its acceptance of all sexual orientations and gender identities. She emphasizes the importance of embracing queer spirituality and creating a safe and inclusive space for all individuals. Mawiyah also talks about her book, "Conjuring the Calabash," which empowers women with hoodoo spells and magic. She shares her advice for navigating the current social and political climate, the significance of community, and the importance of listening and learning from different cultures and perspectives.

Key Takeaways:

• Queer spirituality should be inclusive and embrace all sexual orientations and gender identities.
• Hoodoo is a form of African American folk magic that is open to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• It is important to be grounded and connected to nature to navigate challenging times.
• Community plays a vital role in queer spirituality and provides support and understanding.
• It is essential to listen and learn from different cultures and perspectives to foster inclusivity and understanding.

Quotes:

• "Queer spirituality means to be inclusive, to have magic that includes everyone, so no one feels left out." - Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani
• "The practice of Hoodoo is about including everyone and does not factor in a person's sexual orientation or their love." - Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani
• "We have to keep talking about race relations, homophobia, and other issues to address and overcome them." - Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani

Resources
Mawiyah's Website

Queer Spirituality Website