Mid Life Melanin MaMa

Ge'Le Day 2017...

July 23, 2017

Greetings family!

Oh what a fabulous day this was today on Mama Donna & Zi'Joy's Adventures we celebrated by the Chicago Lakefront. The wrap your beauty movement known as Ge'Le Day. So you may ask what is this day what is Ge'Le? Well it is a head wrap that is worn by women on the Continent African and/or African American descent. Although head wraps can really be found around the world and in Africa it is called the Ge'Le.

I have posted before about a special day this to me. Without going too deep I've been attending for 4 years. The Creator Pilar has been having this beautiful ceremony of movement for the past 6 years this is my fifth year attending. This is Zi'Joy's first but not her last. It was such a joy and a beautiful day out. At first we had heavy rains in Chicago the sky was overcast and was hot and humid. But then as if the universe heard us it cleared the ground was dry and it was a beautiful day sitting under the trees.

This time going out I certainly did look like the Luvs commercial but I took my little Zi'Joy with me. I took so much stuff because we were literally outside from 9:30 in the morning until about 5:30 in afternoon evening. I must say Zi'Joy was just that, an excellent Joy. She slept she rested she drink plenty of milk and Pedialyte and she was just fab. What I'll do is I'll add more pictures when they become available because of course I can't take pictures for everything but it was some beautiful moments that I would like to share with you all so check back and I'll add more pictures as soon as they become available.

I've included a link to explain fully what Ge'Le day is. For me it's a very personal Journey one of a tradition history and one I want to my daughter to know.
Essentially it is a celebration of life and it's a celebration of family it is a celebration of women it is just a celebration bringing all of us together and to wrap our Beauty which is our crowning Glory which is our hair. I love pictures so hopefully I won't go too overboard and bore you all. My whole outfit was thrifted my daughter's outfit was purchased for a very nominal price. But it makes a great impact I did have her head wrapped but it was very hot it was 87 degrees out but it felt hotter but the breeze was turning off the lake and made a beautiful day so she wore her sun hat. I hope you enjoy our looks/

My Fit was was pants and a bikini top but Mama Donna is not wearing a bikini top so I put a swimsuit underneath it a swimsuit top and a swimsuit skirted bottom underneath the pants and that gave me the look that I was going after conservative yet sexy mama. I'm still me after baby. I think sometimes moms lose a sense of themselves when they have their baby. My Z'joy as to the fullness of my life.

Anyway I hope you enjoy the pictures the reading or both. As always all are welcome. Lurker(s) commenters or just stop by to say hi.

The WRAP your beYOUty Movement & The African LIFE present Gele Day 2017: Mu Kawo Tare! (We Bring Together!) on July 22, 2017! we begin with libation/prayer and headwrap tutorials by Sisters from Nigeria, Ghana, The West Indies and America.

What is Gele Day.
https://youtu.be/LrPwE92SqzM

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

18 Comments

  • Sterling replied 3 years ago

    I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this post.  This comment says it all for me:  it is a celebration of life and it's a celebration of family it is a celebration of women it is just a celebration bringing all of us together and to wrap our Beauty which is our crowning Glory which is our hair.  

    The backdrop of the lake was beautiful.  There are so many favorite pictures to choose from, but I think my overall favorite is number 25.  Adorable.  

    Thank you for sharing.  

  • skylurker replied 3 years ago

    #10-11 are so beautiful, and peaceful.

  • Ryce replied 3 years ago

    Oh, Ledonna, thanks for sharing these wonderful photos and this event with all of us. Your headwrap is gorgeous -did you have one of the professionals at the event do it?
    Zi'Joy looks adorable in her outfit and headwrap. But glad you put comfort ahead of fashion and switched her to her little sunhat!
    I like all the pictures, but 9 is my personal fav - so joyous!

  • JAileen replied 3 years ago

    I love your little snuggle bug. Thank you for sharing.

  • rachylou replied 3 years ago

    Rootin' tootin'! Love your green. That's a lot to carry, but that's a long time out!

    Love the little kids in their matching shirts and 'wraps. One day that will be Zi'Joy!

  • FashIntern replied 3 years ago

    Tried to submit this over at the blog side and got the same "you need to actually submit some content" mockery. Harumph.

    Omg, so many adorable pictures! The one of you holding her up! She lets you "wear" her! Baby sacked out in the African colors dress & that whole little series at the end! So beautiful to be reminded of the joy of having a new little one. The shock of how much organization is required just to go to a day in the park is also a memory, but of a different nature, lol.

    This looks like a wonderful day. I notice that the wrapping pros are from the West African region. So frequently, people in the US refer to "African traditions" as if the continent was one big melting pot, instead of recognizing and respecting the many diverse cultures there. One of the many things that contribute to that is that world maps used in the US tend to shrink land masses along the equator, making them look smaller than they are. Africa is big, and it is diverse!

    Thanks for sharing the beautiful day with the beautiful babe and your beautiful self.

  • cobaltblue replied 3 years ago

    What an amazing day! Thanks for sharing. I can't believe Zion'Joy in her tiny headwrap! So adorable. Your green headwrap is one of my favorites you've shared, too.

    Becky

  • Ledonna N. replied 3 years ago

    Fashiontern- please charge it to my head and not my heart when I post it pretty much late at night or early in the morning and I was kind of lazy and just use the general term of Africa I'm going to put in the bottom of the post everything that Gail a day was about if you like to read or I'll just added here yeah I'll addd to here.

    Ge'le Day-The WRAP your beYOUty Movement & The African LIFE present Gele Day 2017: Mu Kawo Tare! (We Bring Together!) on July 22, 2017! Save the Date and don't be late! Remember, we begin with libation/prayer and The WRAP your beYOUty Movement & The African LIFE present Gele Day 2017: Mu Kawo Tare! (We Bring Together!) on July 22, 2017! Save the Date and don't be late! Remember, we begin with libation/prayer and headwrap tutorials by Sisters from Nigeria, Ghana, The West Indies and America. Come wrapped or get wrapped! Whether you're coming for Healing Yoga with Nubia Henderson, African Dance with Alhassan Iddrisu & Company, Poetry by Deana/K Love/Yahdna/Sharon, WORDLIFE with Akua Blackstar, History & Wisdom with Doc Carol/MamaMasequa/Onyinyechi/Chi Chi Oh, Womb Healing Dance with Mama Kimosha, Singing Bowls with Bro. Sifu, Libation Love with Iya Adekola, our ritual march to the water lead by Sister Ugochi, or any of the other soul-lifting that will take place, you are in for a day of Love and Light work. And bring those babies...there will be a children's Gele circle facilitated by KLove's P.R.I.N.C.E.S.S. daughters. Feel FREE to bring your man, your father, your sons for Gele Day is a FAMILY-FRIENDLY event. We just out there. Together. Unified. In Love. Bring your blanket and basket, your lawn chair and your open mind. We galvanize the South Side into peaceful action. Collectively, we empower ourselves to becoming a trauma-informed whole community possessing the internal power to love, support, heal and build ourselves up like our Ancestors did. It takes a village...
    A HUGE wave of my mermaid tail to Ajani Akinade Studios for all of our Graphic Design work (including our beautiful flyer) and our Sponsors & Supporters Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Take Note Entertainment, Culture Connection 360, More Print- Less Money (WE PRINT 4 LESS), EmergenArts, Market Fisheries, MLNTD Naturals, Adrienne Powers Art, The Music Experience, WINDY CITY CARNIVAL , Tonbo Elements Design Studio, & Lotus Love Spirit Healing! One.

    Sterling I'm so glad you enjoyed the pos it was such a joyous time and Joy filled day.

    Thank you everyone else such a beautiful day I wish I could address everybody individually but basically it was just a beautiful day and the joy was a beautiful baby practicality wins out. I wish you all could share the experience with us it's such a unique thing and celebration especially when we walk to the beach to the water we sang a chance that said we come together as people of one Earth we come together to uplift instead of hurt we sing in Praise And we raise our hands and we danced the dance giving life a chance we have to walk about 1500 ft to the water and we just Sima qian and we walk to the water and and take pictures and a warning as beautiful we had people joining us along the way who had no idea what we were doing but every year it gets bigger and bigger.

  • Laura G replied 3 years ago

    Wow, I had a great time just watching you have a great time in those photos! I especially loved the baby in #11, the skirt in #19 and the baby in #25. Oh, and did I mention the baby?

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    WOW. LOVE THIS.

    #11 made my heart go pitter patter. 

    You and Nugget's head wraps are KILLER Sublime. 

  • Meredith replied 3 years ago

    So many things to say! Thank you for giving us a window into this special day through the stunning photos and all of the information about the event. You have a pretty special community. The womb healing dance brought a tear to my eye. There are so few rituals that for women to process infertility, loss, or even just recovering from a pregnancy. Love the overall emphasis on healing, empowerment and community. And of course you and nugget look divine. Green is such a great color for you.

  • UmmLila replied 3 years ago

    Ledonna, I love this so much. The photos of you and your baby. The celebration of women. The celebration of women from the African traditions. Women together.

  • Joy replied 3 years ago

    Ledonna, you are so special. Thank you for sharing this wonderful day with us. You and Zi'Joy are radiant.

  • Ledonna N. replied 3 years ago

    Laura G did you see the baby? lol hehehe I love her little skirt and I'm buying one for each stage of her growth.  0-3 months 6 months 12 months etc.  I will keep them and pack them away to gift to her or my nieces when and If they have baby girls it will be our tradition like christening gowns.

    Angie- thank you so much.  A FB friend sent me a link on an easy baby head wrap.  No tightness involved so baby was safe. 

    Meredith and UmmLila You should have seen it as we sang healing songs and walked to the beach and into the water the drums were going and we lifted our voices in song.  Then gathered in a large circle and let the rhythm and dance move each of us in our own way.  I belong to a FB group that helps women over 40 adjust to life with the new baby journey.  It is amazing what mom's go through to have a baby some ending in rainbow babies and some with rainbows after the storm.  So much on our body emotional and physically and mentally.  I loved that we acknowledge that and the womb healing dance was a beautiful part of that. 

    Joy-Thank you for sharing in our day with us.I am truly happy that I can share with my daughter and YLF the beauty of a diverse culture and also Chicago.  The positive side because one day we will have the news out there to say hey were are more than what will be said about us. 

  • shevia replied 3 years ago

    Absolutely wonderful, moving and joyous. Zi'Joy in 24/25 is like watching strength emerging. Thank you so much for sharing Ledonna!

  • Ledonna N. replied 3 years ago

    Shevia I am so glad you enjoyed he pictures.  I feel as I have to prepare her for the world and I want to fill her with joy love laughter and empowerment of self before she begins school.  Children encounter so many thing that are negative.  I hope she can bring that strength and joy to anything she may face.

  • replied 3 years ago

    Lovely. My favorites are 24 (your light) and 25 (her cuteness).

  • Ledonna N. replied 3 years ago

    Thank you delurked I think 25 is my favorite. 

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I'm a 44 year old Mid Life Melanin MaMa with my beautiful daughter who just entered her toddler years. I hope you will join us honor fashionable and Thrifty Adventures. As we discover a life that is full of fashionable color and joy. We hope to inspire you, make you think, but most importantly make you smile. So I invite you to Journey with us on this thing we call life.