Anisa Matthews - The Birth of Àjẹ́ : A Love Letter to our Ancestral Mothers
Àjẹ́ is a force that is beyond definition, but English approximations for Àjẹ́ [would be] Power, Creation, Cosmos, and All. - Teresa N. Washington
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Anisa Matthews
10 nov 2024
10/11/24
In Yoruba cosmology, the mothers’ role as the force of creation and the sustainer of life and existence elevates her to the realm of the divine.
Six weeks postpartum, Teresa N. Washington’s book 'The Architects of Existence' introduced me to the concept of Àjẹ́, profoundly resonating with me as I navigated matrescence. Her words planted a seed within me that would eventually become the inspiration behind my clothing brand, Àjẹ́.
However, amid the demands of caring for a newborn and navigating postpartum depression, I didn't fully explore this newfound concept until a friend gifted me an African wrapper that transformed my experience of motherhood. This versatile garment not only facilitated baby-wearing but also reignited my sense of sensuality and creativity. As I wore this wrapper, I connected to the long traditions of women around the world, who have ingeniously used mere yards of fabric to carry their children and style themselves.
Inspired by this experience, I delved into the rich traditions of African fabrics; including Adire from Nigeria, Bògòlanfini from Mali, and wax-batik techniques from West Africa and Indonesia. Experimenting with natural dyes, I was captivated by the unique stories each dye bath revealed, reflecting the organic beauty of the natural world and its deep relationship with indigenous cultures from around the world. This exploration deepened my appreciation for indigenous textile practices and inspired me to reimagine them in modern, sustainable fashion.
Thus, Àjẹ́ is born
Àjẹ́ is a language created by my ancestors to describe who I wanted to become. Àjẹ́ was born out of my desire as a mother to redefine my sense of style as an extension of my new Self — my motherhood era.
For me, motherhood is not something separate from my artistry. I gave birth to this first collection in an environment where mothering weaved into my craft — an artist residency designed for mothers, where creativity and care coexist.
I was drawn to the blueprint — the original ingenuity of our ancestral mothers. The sheer genius of the wrapper as baby carrier and skirt, claims its place in women's closets across generations. The effortless elegance of the boubou gown (also known as the baati or the kaftan) cements its status as a cultural staple. The power of clothes to transform how a person feels, moves, and carries themselves is unparalleled.
The Collection
Àjẹ́ celebrates the beauty of womanhood, particularly motherhood, through garments crafted with reverence for nature and respect for cultural authenticity. Each piece is a tribute to our heritage, combining traditional artisan techniques with sustainable materials. Our signature gown is made from locally sourced up-cycled fabrics, minimizing environmental impact. The versatile sling and wrap skirt are both crafted from organic cotton sourced from Organic Cotton Colors, a manufacturer dedicated to ethical and regenerative cotton cultivation practices. Each garment is hand-painted and dyed with natural dyes.
As Toni Cade Bambara eloquently stated, “the role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.”
Àjẹ́ is more than just a brand; it's a celebration of the divine feminine, a tribute to our ancestors, and a commitment to conscious creation. My vision for Àjẹ́ is to create ethereal, thoughtfully designed garments that celebrate the sacred power of motherhood and make sustainable fashion irresistible. We invite you to join us on this journey of radical motherhood and revolutionary fashion.
About Anisa:
Anisa is a mixed media artist and textile designer, weaving narratives that redefine the Black female body within cosmic realms. Using natural dyes, organic fibers, and found objects, she crafts empowering stories inspired by Afro-futurism, ancestral wisdom, and nature's divinity. Anisa invites viewers on a transformative journey of empowerment and liberation through her visionary art.
Notable projects include "Ancestral Archives" at SXSW 2023, exploring the fusion of technology and Black culture, and "Wombeads" for Carnegie Hall's AfroCosmicMelatopia, envisioning waist beads as future-tech artifacts. Through exhibitions like "Spirit" at Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, she explores Afro-Cuban spirituality through photography and poetry. A published author, her work "Sculpting the Social Algorithm for Radical Futurity" critiques the intersection of algorithmic technology and BIPOC activism.
"As an artist, designer, and new mother, I find that motherhood profoundly impacts my artistic practice. My work is deeply rooted in Afro-futurism, ancestral wisdom, and nature. I aim to empower Black women and femmes by highlighting the divinity of nature as a reflection of the divinity in ourselves."