Ancestral Wounds, Ancestral Memories

ANCESTRAL WOUNDS, ANCESTRAL MEMORIES

abi cudjoe, 2025

materials: kanekalon braiding hair, beads and metallic coated cowrie shells

these braids hold the code of the memories, wounds, knowledge and joy that flow through abi's person: passed through from the many ancestors who they are yet to meet, the ones they have danced with and for the one they hope to become.

The audio track, Blood (Lest we Forget) is performed by Esperanza Spalding. War song is by Kokoroko.

This project is a work-in-progress, initially performed in March 2025 as part of “my blood is a force to be reckoned with” curated by Eden Bakunawa.