Ann Tounnen, Nan Matris

Saturday July 13, 4-8PM

At the Wyckoff House Museum, Free Admission

After a one-year hiatus, the 6th annual Festival Minokan will take place on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Wyckoff House Museum, starting at 4 pm. This festival will honor the sacred feminine spirits of the womb. The ceremony, titled “Ann Tounnen Nan Matris” or ‘Return to the Womb,’ will connect us to our authentic self, as we experienced it in the womb. Officiated by preeminent Haitian songstress and Vodou Priestess Sirene Dantor, the festival is guided by her vision of preserving and sharing these long-standing traditions with American youth and offering the Haitian diaspora community the space to gather and collectively heal.

As the first Black Caribbean republic to win independence, Haiti stands as an important symbol of collective spirit, rebirth, and resistance. Dantor proclaims, “Ann Tounnen Nan Matris is a return to the womb, a reconnection with our roots, and a rejuvenation of the self from within. In this ceremony we will encounter our authentic self and shed the false selves which have gathered around us.” Matris translates to ‘matrix’ or ‘womb,’ which is where we first connect with the special energies and spirits that shape our unique being. Dantor continues, “Everyone comes from the womb, which creates both masculine and feminine beings. In this ceremony I will call upon the feminine energy, in its many dimensions. By connecting to the natal dimensions in which we all vibrate, we will receive the guidance of our ancestors.”

All are invited to share in and learn about the sacred Vodou celebration. For newcomers, we recommend arriving at 4 pm for background talks, craft activities, and workshops on the Haitian traditions and spirits. Starting at 6pm, the performers and spiritual leaders will gather to partake in the Seremoni Ann Tounnen Nan Matris ceremony.

This event will take place outdoors. Festival admission is free. Traditional Haitian snacks, beverages, and crafts will be available for purchase.