Kultivating Kapwa: Conversations with Community Episode 2.24
"The Path of a Decolonial Doula: The Sacred Work of Honoring Birth"
In this episode, we are joined by Kei Karayan. We discuss what called her to doula work and how the work has changed since she began, how she is striving to re-member ancestral practices of birthwork, her reasons of sharing birthwork practices to those of the same lineage, a brief overview of what doulas actually do and how things have changed during the pandemic, and more.
Kei Karayan (she/her/siya) is a queer Pilipina/Ilokana/Ybanag/Itawis birth worker of color, doula, community organizer, artist, and chef serving communites on Tongva Land—Long Beach, California— and surrounding areas. Her ancestral roots are from Northern Luzon in Cagayan Valley with her maternal lineage from Gattaran and her paternal lineage from Tuguegarao. Kei's collection of work, Kasama Culture, is an extension of her ancestors' strength, love, and resilience. Kasama Culture unapologetically centers and affirms LGBTQ+, BIPOC, low-income, and marginalized communities. Kei's work is guided by the Bayanihan spirit, resilience of her ancestors, and Earth’s muse. Kasama Culture values building and uplifting the community through reclaiming, remembering, and honoring our Pilipinx identities through activism, birth work, and the arts.
*Episode Notes: This episode contains brief instances of profanity.*
You can listen to this podcast on the Center for Babaylan Studies website (centerforbabaylanstudies.org/podcast), Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/KultivatingKapwaSpotify), PodBean (centerforbabaylanstudies.podbean.com), Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.
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Hosted by Jana Lynne Umipig//
Produced by Olivia Sawi//
Co-Produced by Annie Aarons-Sawi//
Music by AstraLogik
