From herbal remedies to spiritual ceremonies, Black folk healing techniques have offered solace, comfort, and restoration to Black communities that faced unimaginable oppression.
African folk healing practices have long been integral to nurturing and sustaining our communities. Rooted in centuries-old traditions, these healing methods honor mind, body, and spirit interconnectedness.
West Africans brought their rich knowledge of traditional medicine through the transatlantic slave trade, maintaining cultural practices and knowledge despite unspeakable hardships. These indigenous healing methods, based on herbs, roots, and spiritual rituals, served as a lifeline for enslaved people in hostile conditions with little or no access to other kinds of medical care.
The wisdom and expertise of West African healers were sought after by enslaved people and enslavers alike for ailments ranging from broken bones to mental illness. Despite colonizers’ attempts to eradicate these practices, they survived, laying the foundation of African American folk medicine.
Our ancestors understood the power of collective healing and used it to resist systems that would dehumanize them. Today, we continue to reclaim and honor these traditions as acts of self-love, defiance, and cultural preservation. Through our history, we can become more whole.