Welcome Home!
Our purpose is to support our community of Black Women/non-binary folks in a culturally safe space and to promote and facilitate cultural healing. This includes virtual and in person sessions in Vancouver with professional African guest artists and facilitators, so that we can celebrate our own ancestry, together.
MoRhyCo: Movement, Rhythm & Community Connection
What is this about?
MoRhyCo is a Cultural Healing Project for Black women to support mental health and wellness and promote positive cultural identity and social inclusion.
At AFS, we believe that Black Women deserve to reclaim and proudly celebrate their African heritage through cultural healing and authentic sisterhood.
Traditionally in Africa, our cultural practices are about community healing, social cohesion, and solidarity. Our MoRhyCo programming includes cultural healing retreats in the summer and weekly workshops and social gatherings the rest of the year, specifically designed to feed your Black Soul.
A private Facebook page allows us to stay connected to each other. As MoRhyCo members, we are committed to supporting each other in love, respect, and solidarity, and in a way that is authentic and genuine. We want each participant to experience a deep sense of belonging and to know that they are not alone, we are here for everyone.
This project is specifically for Black women, including members of the LGBTQ2S+ communities.
Join our MoRhyCo Community first, then you will receive an invitation to our activities.
Collectively, we can support each other and increase our sense of belonging and wellbeing through the celebration of our shared African ancestry.
MoRhyCo 2022 Arts Impact Project
What's happening this summer?
Thanks to a grant from the BC Arts Council, our MoRhyCo members will be invited to a series of out of town cultural retreats this summer. We use traditional African arts and cultural traditions to cultivate wellbeing and provide care and emotional support.
Our cultural activities will include:
- Singing workshop
- Drumming workshop
- Dancing workshop
- Storytelling
- Creative writing
- Art/Craft project (building traditional instruments, South African beadwork, etc.)
- Traditional cooking
- Traditional hair styling and headwrap fashion
- Traditional Games
- And more!
READY TO JOIN US?
YES, IT'S FREE!
This is your invitation to a cultural healing journey with kinfolk.
for BLACK women/non-binary folks only
Schedule
Program content
Program content
This is an ongoing project with specific events and activities year-long, offered in Vancouver and beyond. Our schedule depends on the activities offered. For example, African storytelling nights out in nature can only take place in the summer, same for our cultural retreats, while drumming, singing and dancing workshops can take place in-studio any time.
In-person workshops
Weekly, various dates and times
Online gatherings:
Various dates and times
Program content
Program content
Program content
First Nations Blessing Ceremony
Traditional Blessing Ceremony
Traditional dances
Afrobeats dance
Traditional drumming
Traditional songs from Zimbabwe
Storytelling Nights
Headwrap workshop
Instruments-making workshop
Village celebration night
And more!!!
Equipment
Program content
Save the date!
No experience or equipment required. We will provide the drums and other traditional instruments needed to attend the workshops. Feel free to bring your own authentic African drum if you prefer.
All traditional materials will be provided for the instruments-making workshops.
Save the date!
Village Night Celebration
Save the date!
MoRhyCo will attend the Dark Before the Dawn Intergenerational Wellness Retreat for the Black Community by Kendra Coupland.
September 16-19, 2022
Mission, BC
An opportunity to be with our community and explore various holistic wellness modalities, specifically for Black healing.
How to register
Village Night Celebration
Village Night Celebration
To join our community, simply click on the "Register Now" button.
Once you are a MoRhyCo community member, you will receive invitations to our cultural events. We have several cultural events and activities scheduled to ensure that we have room for everyone to attend.
Village Night Celebration
Village Night Celebration
Village Night Celebration
We always create opportunities to include our respective families in our MoRhyCo community. We will organize village night events, where we share a meal and enjoy various traditional performances.
Sometimes, you will even be invited to showcase your new skills in a short drum and darce performance.
One more thing...
Can I bring my children to our retreats and gatherings?
We understand that it is not always possible for you to organize baby sitting for your kids so yes, you will be able to bring them at some gatherings (not all). After all, we are a Village! Just make sure you bring their toys and anything they need to be occupied while you are drumming, dancing or singing with your sisters!
FAQ
I am not black but I love everything this project is about. Can I join this group?
NO. This is for Black women/non-binary folks only. You can join Sawubona instead.
I am interested but I don't want to commit. Can I just drop-in from time to time?
We designed this project in such a way that it is all about the community we are building and the relationships we cultivate, and less about any specific activities. We are confident that once you experience the deep connection that happens around drumming, dancing and singing together, you will make every effort to truly commit to being a MoRhyCo member! So please, come any time you can, we will be here, ready to welcome you into the Tribe. Also, keep in mind that regular attendance contributes to building trust and connection, and a deeper sense of belonging.
I want to attend but I am concerned about Covid-19. Is there another way I can be a part of this?
We understand your concerns and we take every precaution to keep everyone safe when meeting in person. Having said that, we also make every effort to deliver a rich online programming so that those who cannot join us physically can still be part of the Tribe. The online sessions are for any Black person who wants to join our village!
THANK YOU !!!
We are grateful for the generous support of the BC Arts Council and the Vancouver Parks Board.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
