Topsoil: Soil Independence and Story Holder

A woman wearing an intricately decorated bright red gown and headwrap stands with hands clasped. She has turned her head and we see her face in profile as she gazes over her right shoulder. At her feet are fungi and mushrooms rooted into layers of soil.
Artwork by Malika Jackson

Soil Talks: In conversation with Leah Penniman

Farmer, teacher, author, and founder and executive director of Soul Fire Farm Leah Penniman joins Dr. Akilah Martin and Orrin Williams for a wide-ranging conversation on Afro-Indigenous farming. In this 40-minute interview, Leah shares the story of soil’s role in recovery from the first flood that happened in her farming region and how to measure success in geologic terms.

Yoruba Prayers to Pay Homage to Plants, Soil, and Water

Shared by Leah Penniman [Manye Ifagbamila] of Soul Fire Farm

Iba se Ori ewe. I pay homage to the Spirit of the Leaves.
Ire alafia, The good fortune of peace
Ire’lera, the good fortune of a stable home
Ire ori’re. the good fortune of wisdom.
Ewe, mo dupe, ase. Leaves, I thank you, May it be so.

Iba se Ori ile. I pay homage to the Spirit of the Land/Soil.
Ire alafia, The good fortune of peace
Ire’lera, the good fortune of a stable home
Ire ori’re. the good fortune of wisdom.
Ile, mo dupe, ase. Land, I thank you, May it be so.

Iba se omi tutu. I pay homage to the Spirit of cool water.
Ire alafia, The good fortune of peace,
Ire’lera, the good fortune of a stable home
Ire ori’re. the good fortune of wisdom
Ire ori tutu the good fortune of calmness
Mo dupe gbogbo ire, omi tutu, ase. Thank you for the many blessings of water. May it be so.

After saying these prayers, make an offering of maize, cornmeal, or honey to the ground. Touch the offering to your forehead, then to your chest, and then place on the ground.

Take several deep, quiet breaths, and listen to the Land’s voice.

  • Leah Penniman

    Leah Penniman is a Black Kreyol educator, farmer, author, and food justice activist who has been tending the soil for twenty years and organizing for an anti-racist food system for fifteen years. She currently serves as founding co-executive director of Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York, a people-of-color led project that works to dismantle racism in the food system.
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