Malidoma Patrice Somé and Sobonfu Somé, both from the Dagara people of Burkina Faso, were sent to the West by their elders to share the sacred wisdom of their traditions, particularly the rituals surrounding grief. Their work centered on the belief that grief is a natural and sacred process, one that requires intention, community, and ceremony.

Malidoma’s teachings emphasized the importance of ritual as a way to connect with ancestral wisdom and the spiritual world, guiding individuals through grief with structured, communal ceremonies. These rituals helped honor the deceased, release unprocessed emotions, and restore balance to the grieving individual and their community.

Sobonfu, with her deep understanding of community, focused on the vital role of collective support in grief. She taught that grief should never be carried alone, and that sharing and witnessing each other's sorrow is key to healing. Through her work, she created spaces for deep listening and collective mourning, allowing the grieving person to feel seen and understood.

Their teachings continue to live on through the countless lives they touched and the people they taught, carrying forward their vision of a healing process that combines personal introspection with the strength of community.

Continuing to support these Teachers, is such an important part of carrying this work. These are ways I support their descendants, village, and family. Please feel free to check out these links, donate or learn more about where this work comes from here: