Sobonfu Somé

Sobonfu Somé (d. January 14, 2017[1]) was a Burkinabe teacher and writer, specializing in topics of spirituality.[2] She wrote three books: her first, The Spirit of Intimacy, looks at relationships and intimacy through the lens of African spirituality and teachings.

Sobonfu Somé
Born
Dano, Burkina Faso
Died(2017-01-14)January 14, 2017
NationalityBurkina Faso
OccupationAuthor, speaker, activist
Notable work
The Spirit of Intimacy, Welcoming Spirit Home, Falling Out of Grace
Websitewisdomspring.org

She founded the organization Wisdom Spring to teach African spirituality to westerners and to provide drinking water to villages in West Africa.[3]

Naming

Sobonfu Somé wrote about African culture, with a focus on her and her husband's interpretations of Dagara spiritual traditions for use by Westerners. One story she relayed was that, in a naming ceremony, her mother had been placed in a trance-like state in which she and the elders of the community divined Sobunfu's life purpose. She said the elders then gave her, the unborn child, the name Sobonfu, meaning "Keeper of Ritual", based upon this experience.[4]

Marriage

Sobonfu was married to Malidoma Patrice Somé in an arranged marriage. The couple moved to London, and later the United States.[5]

Death

Somé died from a weakened immune system attributed to water contamination.[6]

Works
  • The Spirit of Intimacy: Ancient Teachings in the Ways of Relationships. New York, NY: Quill, 2002. ISBN 0688175791
  • Welcoming Spirit Home: Ancient African Teachings to Celebrate Children and Community. Novato, CA: New World Library. ISBN 1577310098[7]
  • Falling Out of Grace: Meditations on Loss, Healing and Wisdom. El Sobrante, CA: North Bay Books. Arms, S. (2002). ISBN 0972520023.
  • Women's Wisdom from the Heart of Africa. Louisville, CO: Sounds True, 2004. ISBN 1591791618

References
  1. Past Events – Grief Ritual with Sobonfu Somé Red Balloon Project
  2. Weathers, D. (1998, 12). The wisdom of the somes. Essence, 29, 124-126
  3. Wisdom Spring Founder and Board of Directors
  4. Somé, Sobonfu (2004). Women's Wisdom from the Heart of Africa. Louisville, CO: Sounds True. pp. Chapter 1 00:08:45. ISBN 1591791618.
  5. Cohen, David (June 13, 1996). "Out of Africa: A Message". The Independent. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  6. Alderton, Bryce (June 1, 2017). "Laguna Beach High club rallies to raise money for water wells in Africa". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  7. Welcoming Spirit Home: Ancient African teachings to celebrate children and community. Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 17(1), 95-98
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