When the Spiritual Becomes the Political

Featuring Max Dashu

“The English language isn’t adequate to put a name to these women. Diviners, priestesses, oracles, visionaries… Within their own cultures, they had titles: mambo, catalonan, mganga, veleda, mugirwa, calundureira, obeah woman, ixhwele. Sometimes outsider-words like santa or kahina. Often, we don’t know what title their own people knew them by, only that they stepped up to oppose invasion / colonization.

Many times, I’ve seen the spiritual placed in opposition to political action, yet this pattern of spiritual women leading revolts is so marked.”

My course on the Rebel Shamans has a full length video and short essays on these historical figures.

They include: Veleda of the Bructerii (Netherlands), Dahia al-Kahina (Tunisia / Algeria), Tang Saier (China), Jeanne d’Arc (France), Juana Icha (Peru), Kimba Vita (Congo), Maria Candelaria (Chiapas), Queen Nanny of the Maroons (Jamaica), Cécile Fatiman (Haiti), Antonia Luzia (Brazil), Toypurina (Kizh / Tongva) and the Prophetess of Chupu (Chumash Nation), both in southern California; Wanankhucha (Somali Bantu), Lozen (Apache Nation), Teresa de Cabora (Mayo, NW Mexico), Nehanda Nyakasikana (Zimbabwe), Muhumusa (Rwanda / Uganda), Nomtetha Nkwenkwe (!Xhosa, South Africa), Alinesitoué Diatta (Senegal).

I share some of these bold women in my most recent substack post. Max Dashu, Suppressed Histories

Max Dashu is a walking encyclopedia. There’s no one like her. The work she has done!! Check out her course above Rebel Shamans, sign up for her newsletter on her website:

Follow her on Facebook:

Warrior Queen by Kellianna

This post is part of Goddess 101 Texts – telling another side of Our Story.
Text ‘Join’ to 256-815-0760 to get your free daily dose of inspiration. *text Stop to stop at any time. Consent.

#Goddess101Texts a daily wake up call from Ancient Mother.

Use QR code above to text ‘Join’ plus your email to 256.815.0760 (Sorry for now, US only as International Texting is a thing, but you can see our monthly texts here and top right sign up to be notified of new blog posts from this site.)

Brought to you by the divine feminine app. Over ten years, the original source for finding Sacred Women Circles, events, retreats and resources. Sign up on the app to get a weekly email of Circles by you and online.