health
March 3, 2026
My sexual freedom odyssey: what ancient African wisdom can teach us about pleasure today
By speaking to women across the continent, I discovered how reclaiming pre-colonial rites and rituals can help us find joy in our bodies
TL;DR
- Traditional African rites of passage, such as Tanzanian kitchen parties and Ghanaian Dipo ceremonies, are being reinterpreted to teach women about sexuality and pleasure.
- The author explores the concept of 'feminist sankofa,' which involves reclaiming and infusing ancient pre-colonial rites and rituals with feminist principles.
- These practices aim to help women discover sexual freedom by feeling comfortable in their bodies, secure in their sexuality, and empowered to explore their desires.
- The movement emphasizes pleasure as a birthright, advocating for open and honest conversations about bodies, sex, and sexualities, especially as rights for marginalized groups face challenges.
- Reclaiming ancestral practices is seen as a way to affirm gender and sexual identities, challenging homophobia and supporting diverse expressions of self.
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