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Sounds of SAND

#21 A Hunger for Wholeness: Iya Affo (Encore)

Feb 27, 2025
Iya Affo, a Culturalist and Historical Trauma consultant from Bénin, shares her rich heritage and insights on healing. She highlights the often-overlooked concept of historical trauma and its effects on mental health within the BIPOC community. The discussion dives into reclaiming identity through ancestral roots and the transformative power of rituals. Iya contrasts Western trauma understanding with traditional practices while emphasizing the importance of community connections and intuitive knowledge for holistic healing. She passionately advocates for harmonizing traditional and Western medicine to foster true wellness.
54:20

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding historical trauma is vital for healing, as it influences behaviors and stress responses across generations within communities.
  • Cultural preservation and community relationships play a critical role in fostering resilience and emotional stability, essential for overcoming trauma.

Deep dives

Journey into Historical Trauma

A personal journey into historical trauma is rooted in early experiences of depression and cultural disconnection. The speaker reflects on growing up in a Jewish community and contrasts that with experiences shared by Black families, questioning why similar socioeconomic backgrounds led to divergent emotional outcomes. This curious exploration sparked a yearning to learn about ancestral narratives and the cultural significance of memory, notably regarding the transatlantic slave trade. The speaker's travels to various cultures underscored the critical relationship between understanding trauma and seeking healing across different communities.

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