Magic of my elders
- Dana Perry
- Apr 18
- 2 min read
by Tomeiry Mateo
Editor’s note: As part of monthly homework assignments, students are asked to share class reflections. This post is taken from Tomeiry’s reflection of African American Herbalism with instructor, Tiffany Robbins.
This was such a powerful class. We started off with writing the name of one of our grandparents and we were then asked to speak on them in whichever way we’d like. By the end everyone was crying. I talked about my paternal grandmother. She passed away in 2020 and I didn’t know her all too well because I wasn't too close to my dad and my grandparents live in the Dominican Republic so there wasn't much opportunity to build that relationship. It was only until after her death that I found out about her magical side. She was a Curandera. She was a healer and practitioner in her community in the Dominican Republic, that was her purpose.
Finding this out at the time was so bittersweet. A part of me kind of found the missing puzzle in me that always questioned why I was the way I was and was drawn to the things that I was; it all made sense to me finally. The bitter part was that she was gone and I couldn't go to her with all these questions that linger in me till this day. I talked in front of the class on how a part of me feels like I got my “magic” from her. I got so emotional, it felt so good to say that out loud and own that deep truth in me that I've never said out loud let alone to other people. Cuca was what everyone called her. We honored our ancestors by speaking their names out loud and uplifting them. I could just feel, not just for myself, but for everyone, how our elders were just so happy to be talked about and held in our hearts for that moment.
It makes you reflect and question and wonder. It definitely made me question so much about myself and my family. I wonder how we ended up in the Dominican Republic or if we were always there perhaps? All that it took to be able to survive where I come from. I know I come from not too much, dirt roads, chickens everywhere, fruits from trees, cows to milk, and cheese to make. Completely different from the fast-paced city life I live now and sometimes wonder what life would have been like had I never left Dominican Republic. Life would be so completely different.
I am so appreciative of this class for bringing me back to the endless gratitude I feel for all my ancestors and all they had to have done to set me up to have the best chances in this life. I walked away from this class reminded to take my ancestors with me everywhere I go. They're listening, happy for my path, are with me and are guiding me everywhere I go.
Tomeiry Mateo is a third-year student at ArborVitae.
