The Seventh Generation Principle, rooted in the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace, implores us to reflect on the consequences of our choices for the coming seven generations. Mindful of this principle, Savage Daughters embraces seven core values that we perceive as our medicine.
Medicine
Bismillah
We envision a world where the sacred thread of faith intertwines seamlessly with the vibrant tapestry of ancestral traditions. Bismillah, meaning "In the name of God" in Arabic, is the auspicious phrase that marks the beginning of many chapters in the Quran, serving as a profound invocation and a source of divine blessings.
We envision a legacy where the divine spark within each of us is recognized, honored and celebrated—an ever-blooming garden where faith-driven souls find solace, purpose, and connection. As a faith-driven organization, we recognize the profound significance of seeking divine blessings and guidance in all our endeavors. We draw strength from the divine wisdom encapsulated in Bismillah, allowing it to permeate every aspect of our vision and serve as a reminder that our journey is not only physical but also a sacred quest.
Yakoke
We cultivate a culture of thanksgiving, expressing gratitude to our ancestors through the Chahta word "yakoke," meaning "thank you" or "to thank." This expression goes beyond mere acknowledgment; it signifies a deep, heartfelt gratitude that connects us to our roots and acknowledges the sacrifices and wisdom of those who came before us.
Gratitude to our ancestors is a cornerstone of our vision because it grounds us in humility and respect. By expressing thanksgiving, we honor the resilience, traditions, and sacrifices of those who paved the way for our existence. This gratitude becomes a source of strength, a guiding light that shapes our actions and decisions, fostering a sense of belonging and interconnectedness with our lineage.
We understand that the culture of thanksgiving is not just a ritual but a transformative force that shapes the narrative of our collective journey. Through "Yakoke" and the universal language of gratitude, we weave a tapestry that transcends borders, cultures, and generations—a tapestry that acknowledges the interconnectedness of all life and the profound impact of our shared history.
Halito
We extend a culture of welcome, using the Chahta word "Halito" as our greeting. "Halito" means "hello," but in our vision, it transcends a mere salutation; it embodies a welcoming spirit that recognizes the intrinsic value of each of us. Creating a safe and welcoming space is crucial, especially for Black and Indigenous communities. It is a sanctuary where everyone is embraced, celebrated, and encouraged to express their authentic selves without fear or judgment.
This culture of welcome is not just a gesture; it is a commitment to dismantling barriers and fostering an environment where diversity is not just tolerated but cherished. In the welcoming space we envision, the richness of everyone’s background, experiences, and identity is woven into the fabric of our collective journey.
Jihad
Jihad, as understood in Islam, adds a transformative dimension to our vision. The concept of Jihad, meaning striving or doing one's utmost, aligns with our commitment to personal growth, purification of the heart and the constant endeavor to do good and avoid evil.
In our vision, Jihad takes on a profound meaning. The "Greater Jihad" represents the internal struggle—a spiritual journey where each of us confronts and overcomes the challenges within. It is the ongoing effort to purify one's heart, to do good, avoid evil, and become a better person. This inner striving is essential for the flourishing of the individual and the community.
The "Lesser Jihad" encompasses an outward struggle. For Savage Daughters, it constitutes a moral principle—a commitment to confront and overcome any obstacles that stand in the way of the greater good. This is a call to confront historical injustices, challenge systems that perpetuate oppression, and actively participate in the restoration of balance. It involves standing as warriors for justice and healing, striving to return what was from our communities and rebuild the sacred connections. It compels us to confront systemic injustice, dismantle oppressive structures, and advocate for a world where the inherent dignity and rights of every person is upheld.
Our Jihad is an unwavering commitment to the restoration of justice and balance in all aspects of our vision. It becomes the moral compass that guides our actions, ensuring that every stride we take is in alignment with the greater good, justice, and the divine wisdom encapsulated in Bismillah.
In our vision, Jihad becomes the catalyst for the transformation of "savage" into a sacred affirmation of strength, resilience, and authenticity.
Omi
We believe that Water (“Omi” in Yoruba) is a member of our society. We advocate for the protection and reverence of water, recognizing its role as a life-giving force and a sacred connection to our ancestors. As water protectors, we commit to advocacy for clean water, opposition to practices that harm water ecosystems and a dedication to the spiritual understanding of water as a life force that binds all living beings.
Through our Yoruba culture, we are children of Yemaya, often associated with the ocean and motherhood. Yemaya, with her nurturing and protective qualities, symbolizes the interconnectedness of life and the importance of honoring the waters. We draw upon the wisdom of Yemaya in our commitment to water as sacred, recognizing the spiritual and cultural significance of water in sustaining life and fostering harmony.
Rematriation
At the heart of our vision lies a profound commitment to rematriation—a sacred journey of reclaiming and restoring the intimate relationships between Black & Indigenous people and our ancestral lands. We acknowledge the stolen voices, lands, and cultural artifacts and we are united as warriors for justice and healing, striving to return what was taken and rebuild the sacred connections severed by historical injustices.
Embracing rematriation goes beyond the physical return of land; it encompasses the revitalization of cultural practices, languages, and the wisdom passed down through generations of Black & Indigenous people. It is an affirmation of the matriarchal lineage, recognizing the central role of our foremothers in preserving and transmitting ancestral knowledge. We seek to create spaces where Black & Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit are empowered to lead, our voices amplified and our wisdom honored.
Rematriation, for us, is in direct opposition to patriarchal violence and dynamics that have often overshadowed the profound contributions of Black & Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit. We strive for a world where our power is celebrated, where the interconnectedness of all life is acknowledged, and where the Earth is treated with the reverence it deserves as a sacred entity.
Abolition
Our commitment to justice extends to the principles of abolition. Embracing abolition means dismantling oppressive systems that perpetuate violence, discrimination and inequality. We envision a world where the chains of systemic injustice are broken, where prisons and structures of punishment are replaced with holistic approaches to healing and restoration. We are advocates for the abolition of practices that perpetuate harm, acknowledging the urgent need to address systemic racism, colonialism, and other forms of oppression.
Our commitment to justice extends to the principles of abolition. Recognizing the historical and ongoing impact of systemic oppression, particularly on Black and Indigenous communities, we are advocates for the abolition of oppressive structures that perpetuate violence, discrimination and inequality. We envision a world where the chains of systemic injustice are broken, where prisons and structures of punishment are replaced with holistic approaches to healing and restoration, where the inherent dignity and rights of every person is upheld and where all marginalized communities, particularly Black and Indigenous, are liberated from the shackles of systemic injustice.
Mission
Savage Daughters is a sacred space born out of the rich tapestry of Black and Indigenous ancestral traditions, where the wisdom of our foremothers thrives. We are united in opposition to historical labels of savagery that sought to silence us, forging a path towards a future where we are free to make our own informed wellness choices.
We believe that the key to this freedom lies in decolonization—a profound process of rediscovering and reclaiming the wisdom embedded in our traditions. With roots firmly planted in the rich soil of the US South, we aim to bloom throughout Turtle Island, nurturing a community that emphasizes the voices and experiences of Black and Indigenous people.
Through a variety of offerings deeply connected to traditional ancestral wisdom, we strive to dismantle the barriers that have sought to confine us, cultivating a world where cultural resilience thrives and the intersections of identities are celebrated, a world where all Black and Indigenous people can flourish free from the constraints of colonial labels and exclusions and most importantly, where the term "savage" is reclaimed as a symbol of strength, wisdom and unapologetic authenticity.