On this episode we had a Conversation with Maya Matanah. (The SoothSayer Who Cooks) I am so happy i had an opportunity to learn more about this incredible woman. It is a privilege to share this conversation with the world. Many currently in London may know Maya as the woman behind Love Gift Vegan. A vegan Carribean restaurant in South London. Maya also has My Inner Sanctuary right next door to Love Gift Vegan. A space to receive healing such as massages, readings, crystals and collective gatherings. There is so much behind Maya and that is why we have two parts to this conversation, ha! I wanted us to go right to the start of what made Maya become The Soothsayer who cooks and how she learnt to be at one with nature.
We go right into Maya's humbling beginnings and her education on earth. Her family dynamic and how her mother lived for a party. We learn how Maya's grandmother played an important role to her life and how she saw the world especially spirituality. Maya was Born and raised in the Caribbean Island Grenada, Isle of Spice. We the learn how she came to London at 14. Maya then was faced with a new world but managed to always keep her connection to nature alive despite the conflict she may of had with authority in education or religion.
"The season was returning to summer so seeing naked trees, high concrete buildings, when tropical country living was my homestead...There started confusion.
2 days after arrival in London, I entered school for continued education, Me, a new teenager; a secondary Catholic Girl School in Kensington, West London.
My Mother, my guardian whom I'd not seen for almost 9 year...a stranger to me.
Brought from the freedom and unity of island lifestyle; raised by Indigenous women; Women and Elder Men who taught me Holistic and Spiritual Practices ... understanding of natural medicines. Abilities to read signs of Natures Ways, including Indigenous Rituals for overall wellness...
Food habits... we ate what we grew.
To then be introduced to processed foods, tin foods and packaged animal products... How was I to survive if this is to be my nourishment and continuous lifestyle?
Life was concrete hostility.
My daily manoeuvres was to devise stability of mind and soul.
My mother was trying to manage parenting.
We lived, mother, 2 children in a 1 bed basement room, with shared kitchen and bathroom.
Moved to South East London at the age of 14 to a better home.
My sister arrived to join us 3 years later.
I've lived south of the river ever since."
I hope you enjoy this episode and join us for part 2. As we go into more of Maya's Journey and where she currently is at now. This episode is also to support Maya in her business and contributions to our community. Please follow @Lovegift on instagram. Conversation's Need To Be Had! supports Maya and would urge everyone to donate to her Go Fund me Page. Love Gift & My Inner Sanctuary are closed currently. Maya as we will discover in part two kept these two premises open during the pandemic without regular customers due to lockdown. She has been giving her heart to so many and now it is time we give back to Maya Matanah. A elder who has wisdom that not only nourishes the body but the mind , soul & spirit.
