I found myself looking back on my favorite memory of the 2007 Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. I was most moved by a performance/ritual by an ensemble calling themselves Evolution V (see picture above). Here’s the description from the program:
Evolution is a theatrical performance and ritualist ensemble of magical women. East coast meets west coast as Aleah Long (left), Yaniyah Pathfinder (right), and Ubaka Hill (second from left) converge on the Acoustic Stage with Kumu Kawaiae’a (pictured below), Victoria Kragt (second from right) and Queen (center). Evolution was inspired by the Great Mother, who beckons her daughters to call her names, embrace divine purpose and awaken to the creative healing powers, restoring balance and beauty to the Earth. Come fully present and ready for the Awakening.
I could go on at length about the details of this experience, but I think I’ll leave you with just a single experience that has become etched on my soul. The ritual was opened by the Kumu, chanting an invocation in Hawaiian. This woman, who I also was drawn to in the Opening Ceremonies for the Festival, was a larger-than-life presence, or so it seemed to me. It seemed that every time she spoke, the wind answered by swirling around the natural amphitheater that is the Acoustic Stage area. It literally gave me goosebumps, and the temperature was in the high 80′s or low 90′s. And she left us with the thought that while it is our sacred duty to care for our Mother (the Earth), we should realize that she will survive. The question is whether or not we will act to make sure we work to create an environment that will allow us as a species to survive.
