Written by Tapsy Gomwalk
Whether it was witchcraft, feminism, common sense, or a mixture of all, my journey became about healing and actualisation. On that path I’d once been too hopeless to tread on, on that path I was sure would be so lonely, I found again and again people doing the same thing: reparenting themselves. From recognising the patterns in our families, childhood, and society to addressing and nurturing the areas of developmental arrest, these people were just like me, upgrading the quality of several areas of life intentionally.
“It is in Africa that I have encountered women with the most dedication to the feminist revolution; women who do not pander to patriarchal narratives, and women who inject a deep humanism and criticism to the global feminist discussion.” — Minna Salami
This dedication looks different for everyone; regardless, it doesn’t treat the symptoms of patriarchal illnesses; it kills off the conditions that harbour the illness. It unites us where we had once been divided, boosts our immunity, and nurtures a healthier and stronger ecosystem.
The practices below have been instrumental not just in my life but in the lives of people who continue to inspire me and lead both little and gargantuan revolutions. I once thought pledging myself to this inner and outer work would mean complete understanding, perfect consistency, and a hundred percent embodiment–that is not the case. As you consider the simple pathways below, know that their simplicity runs deep and ripples out much farther than its intended target. It begins with baby You and soon extends to baby Me; this is the blessing of crossing the line and contributing to an afrofeminist world.
Shadow and inner child work
This process involves consciously examining the repressed negative emotions and aspects of ourselves, which are referred to as our “shadow.” In a society that requires gendered roles and demonises otherness, shadow work requires deep introspection and asks you to recognise and accept who you are, allowing an expanded self-concept and more room for growth, emotional intelligence, and nervous system regulation.
Similar to shadow work, inner child work pertains to an interaction with our inner child, often the stage where most adults get developmentally and emotionally arrested. Whatever unmet needs you had as a child can be appropriately met by your current self in varying degrees. This procedure is a reclamation of the youth you sacrificed in order to find safety and belonging in your environment.
Religious and sociocultural deconstruction
This surgical practice is basically a version of shadow work on a collective level. By reverse engineering the beliefs and systems passed down to us, especially those that cause harm and exclusion, we have a more objective view of who benefits from the status quo and how we either sustain or discourage it. Rather than wholly accepting these norms, we can examine and separate nourishing spirituality from dogmas designed to subordinate and limit. In a culture of acquiescence, interrogating these aspects of our community enables more people to realign their lifestyles and choices with dignity and communal respect.
This holistic process of deconstruction is stable ground for reclaiming agency, deciding one’s beliefs critically, not just intuitively, and reimagining more equitable ways of living that offer wellbeing and support.
Spirituality, spellwork, and ritual
Don’t be fooled; there are no magical shortcuts when it comes to any form of spirituality or ritual. Rather than being weaponised for control, spirituality becomes a personal tool for enlightenment and clarity, an intentional lifestyle rather than a presupposed one. The power isn’t in the candles, deities, or rituals; it’s in the programming and calibration of your psyche, spirit being, and the choices you make with awareness. Rituals are a practice of accountability to ourselves, our community, and the changes we desire to see in the world.
Business, art, and community
While the prior modalities largely focus on the personal, business and art centre on our expansion while interacting with the community. As women, children, and queer people are often the most disenfranchised, building economic value and shaping popular culture cannot be overemphasised. When practised with the intentionality and focus of a reparented adult, business transcends hierarchy and capitalism and becomes rooted in the well-being of both the people and their environment.
When I crossed the line and became a witch, I thought I was doing it just for myself. It turns out, just like all the other women before me who have been called witches, prostitutes, and worse, I was on to something. No wonder people are threatened when women choose themselves—life in full is exhilarating, and that expression doesn’t just light you alone up; it brightens the whole world. It’s a common saying that if you train a woman, you train a nation. Tell me then, dear feminist, what’s your training programme?
