Period. a collective research residency

During the autumn of 2021, WORM Pirate Bay artist in residence; Sekai Makoni facilitated Period. – a community-based research project for Black people experiencing menstrual difficulties (severe pain, fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis, or anything that makes your period challenging). Many Black people suffer in silence due to shame or a sense that pain is normal or inevitable. In this residency, Sekai sought to challenge this and explore possible root causes and healing approaches.

Sekai assembled a group of 8-10 Black people who would share their experiences. Together, they tried to unearth the approaches that are distinct to those of African or Caribbean heritage. What remedies or understandings might we have lost contact with? In total, there were 6 sessions (spanning 6 months) intertwining personal reflection with practical workshops hosted by specialists in alternative health practices.

While group meetings were not open to the public, the group felt that the knowledge and experience gained during the residency will be important to share beyond the group. The project’s findings took the form of a zine, so that the learnings can be shared with the wider public. A show on Radio WORM was broadcast monthly, where the ongoing research was explored as well as interviews and other pearls of wisdom related to periods.

Participants: Chelsea / Josje karg / Elaine Martis / CyAnn Pourier / Alfrida Martis (Alfie) / Serana Angelista / Aida Sium / Zoë / Sheree Lenting / Jasmin – Nite Shop / Meike / Shihayna Poulina.

PUBLIC EVENTS:
Radio shows:
PERIOD. radio, every last Tuesday of the month on Radio WORM.

Broadcasts
2021: 26 October  / 30 November  / 28 December
2022:  25 January  / 22 February  / 29 March

Final event: 28 May 2022 

LIST OF NON-PUBLIC WORKSHOPS:
1) Sat Oct 2 Fibroid Pandemic by LaToya | Explorations of the high rates of fibroids amongst Black people.
2) Sat Nov 6 Sis the Womb Witch Samora Schurman | Womb healing / spiritual aspects of sacral region / trauma.
3) Sat Dec 4 Acupuncture | TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine Kim | Acupuncture and healing for menstrual challenges.
4) Sat Jan 8 Pelvic Dance by Alexandra | Dance, embodied movement, the pelvic region – healing / release.
5) Sat Feb 5 Talyah Donker | Wombodhi   Abdominal massage, understanding the season cycle of the uterus.
6) Sat Mar 12 James Parnell |Zine making workshop – capturing our main learnings.

Images: Period. participants at the first workshop. Photo courtesy of Sekai Makoni
Design: Serana Angelista