Beyi Ritual at Cherry Plain, NY, September 12-14, 2008 with Malidoma Somé

What is Beyi?

The Ritual of Beyi is the first step towards Elder Initiation in the Dagara tradition of Malidoma Somé of Burkina Faso, West Africa. Those participating in this ritual form a pool of candidates that may be chosen to go through the Dagara Elder Initiation in 2009 which will be conducted by Malidoma with the assistance of those who were initiated by Malidoma in 2006 or another initiation in the future. This Elder Initiation lasts for two weeks.

The Beyi Ritual will be conducted by Malidoma, who will also be teaching about Beyi, Elder Initiation and other subjects, again with the assistance of those who were initiated by Malidoma in 2006. Everyone who feels led to be initiated as an Elder is invited to take part in the Beyi Ritual. To be initiated as an Elder in this process does not require you to become a member of the East Coast Village community. Rather it is intended to give one the recognition in one’s own community and in the world of the Spirits and Ancestors that one’s life’s work has been such that one can now be acknowledged as an Elder. It will also initiate one into a group of Elders who are committed to support each other in the work that each is called to do in the world.

We request that each person submit a one page description of your work with Malidoma and of your other experience relative to your work which is appropriate to becoming an Elder when you send your deposit or when you arrive for the Beyi Ritual.

The Beyi Ritual will take place in Cherry Plain, NY on land belonging to the East Coast Village, which is a community of people who have been studying and working with Malidoma since 2001. This land has been dedicated specifically for doing this medicine work with Malidoma, and he has established shrines to Spirits in the Dagara tradition on this land.

Cost for the Beyi Ritual

The cost for the Beyi Ritual will be $275. This includes six meals from Friday evening to Sunday lunch. This does not include sleeping accommodations. See below.

If you would like to attend this ritual please send a $50 deposit to reserve your place. Make the check out to: East Coast Village and mail it to Robert Walker at P.O. Box 82, Cherry Plain, NY 12040.

 

 

 

Additional Ritual with Malidoma

Malidoma will also be conducting another ritual and giving further teaching at the same site just prior to the Beyi Ritual on September 10-12 from Wednesday evening to Friday afternoon. It will be a Radical Water/Nature Ritual. You are also invited to attend this ritual.

There will be an additional cost of $200 including six meals to attend this ritual. This does not include sleeping accommodations. See below. Please contact Robert Walker (see below) if you are interested in also attending this ritual.

If you would like to also attend this ritual please send an additional $50 deposit to reserve your place. One check for $100 as a deposit for both rituals will be ok.  Make the check out to: East Coast Village and mail it to Robert Walker at P.O. Box 82, Cherry Plain, NY 12040.

Public Transportation

If you are coming by public transportation then plan to arrive at the Albany, NY airport, the Albany bus station, or the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station.

Albany Airport - 518-242-2200

Albany Bus Terminal - Adirondack Trailways - Fare and Schedule info: 1-800-858-8555

Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station - Reservation and schedules: 1-800-872-7245

Please note: We can pick you up at the above airport or bus or train station at two different times, early afternoon by 1:00 pm or late afternoon by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 12th. Please arrive no later than 4:00 pm.

If you are also coming for the Radical Water/Nature Ritual please plan to arrive by no later than 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 10th^th. We can pick you up at the above airport or bus or train station at two different times, early afternoon by 1:00 pm or late afternoon by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 10th.

The Beyi Ritual and Malidoma’s program of teaching will be over by 12:00 noon on Sunday, September 14^th.  Please plan your departure from the airport, bus, or train station to be no earlier than 2:00 pm so we will have time to ferry you to airport or bus or train station after the end of the Sunday morning program.

Directions to Cherry Plain, NY by car

For the Beyi Ritual please plan to arrive by 5:00 pm on Friday, September 12^th. The Beyi Ritual and Malidoma’s program of teaching will be over by 12:00 noon, Sunday, September 14^th, but that will be followed by lunch and then cleanup, packing, and departure.

If you are also coming for the Radical Water/Nature Ritual please plan to arrive by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, September 10th^th if you are coming by car.

Coming from the East

Take I90 (Mass Pike) west to its end in western Massachusetts. After going through the toll booth take the second exit which is Exit B3, Rt.22, New Lebanon. Go right at the end of the exit ramp onto Rt.22 heading north for 14 miles to the intersection for Rt. 43 and Rt 22. There is a traffic light at this intersection. From this intersection continue north on Rt. 22 for 6 miles to Bly Hollow Road. Just before reaching Bly Hollow Road there will be a sign saying, "Entering Town of Berlin".

Turn left on Bly Hollow Road and continue for about a mile. You will pass through a barn yard and the road at that point will turn from asphalt to gravel. Once the road turns to gravel take the second driveway on the right hand side which is about one third of a mile from that point. There will be a sign beside the driveway with the street number, 250, on it. The driveway crosses a small stream. Drive in to the parking area and find a place to park.

Coming from the West

Take I90 (New York State Throughway) east to the last exit in the state, B3, Rt. 22, New Lebanon. Go left at the end of the exit ramp onto Rt. 22, and then take another immediate left to head north on Rt. 22. Go for 14 miles to the intersection for Rt. 43 and Rt. 22. There is a traffic light at this intersection. From this intersection continue north on Rt. 22 for 6 miles to Bly Hollow Road. Just before reaching Bly Hollow Road there will be a sign saying, "Town of Berlin".

Turn left on Bly Hollow Road and continue for about a mile. You will pass through a barn yard and the road at that point will turn from asphalt to gravel. Once the road turns to gravel take the second driveway on the right hand side which is about one third of a mile from that point. There will be a sign beside the driveway with the street number, 250, on it. The driveway crosses a small stream. Drive in to the parking area and find a place to park.

Coming from the South

Take I87 (New York State Northway) north to I90 and take I90 East. Follow the directions above for Coming from the West.

Alternatively, take the Taconic Parkway north to I90 and take I90 East. Follow the directions above for Coming from the West.

Coming from the North

Take I87 (New York State Northway) south to I90 and take I90 East. Follow the directions above for Coming from the West.

Alternatively, take Route 9 in Vermont west into New York State where it turns into NY Rt. 7. Five miles across the state line take a left to head south on Rt. 22 for 18 miles to Cherry Plain. 

Or alternatively, take Route 2 in Massachusetts west into New York State. Seven miles across the state line take a left to head south on Rt. 22 for 10 miles to Cherry Plain. When you see the Cherry Plain Pantry store on the right continue for another mile south on Rt. 22 to the first right turn which will be Bly Hollow Road.

Turn right on Bly Hollow Road and continue for about a mile. You will pass through a barn yard and the road at that point will turn from asphalt to gravel. Once the road turns to gravel take the second driveway on the right hand side which is about one third of a mile from that point. There will be a sign beside the driveway with the street number, 250, on it. The driveway crosses a small stream. Drive in to the parking area and find a place to park.

Sleeping Accommodations

Tenting on ECV land --hand wash stations, porta-potties, no showers - $10. a night

*Local Homes – private bedroom w/ shared bathroom $30. a night. Single mattress on floor semi-private w/ shared bathroom - $20. a night

* limited number available—first come first serve

Bed & Breakfasts - (* need car)

 *Hitchcock House, New Lebanon 518-794-8826 - $125. a night

*The Spencer House , New Lebanon 518-794 -6500- $135. a night

 Berkshire Mountain House B&B, Stephentown 518-733-6923 From $99. to $199. a night

*Churchill House B&B, New Lebanon 518-766-5852—singles $140. or $150. Couples $10. more per room

*Shaker Meadows B&B, New Lebanon 518-794-9385

Motels and Inns

The Inn at Shaker Mill Farm, New Lebanon 518 -794-9345.  A 22 room refurbished 1824 grist mill with a beautiful millstream and waterfall in back. The innkeeper will give us special rates for groups:

2 night stay - $60. a night for a single; $90. for a double

3 night stay - $50. a night for a single; $80 . for a double

4 night stay - just $40 extra for any room.

(The Inn will also help us transport those without a car.)

Sedgwick Inn, Berlin 518-658-2334  An historic Inn (with an additional modern motel next door) from Civil war days only 7 miles from our land.

Inn –all doubles--$135.-195. a night

Motel -all doubles -$115. a night

            Special rates for groups

Contact Information

For Housing, please contact as soon as possible - Deborah Torrance   cell-518-810-1583  work-518-479-7979     deborahtorrance@gmail.com

For Transportation or general information or about the additional ritual, please contact - Robert Walker   518-658-2508    robertdwalker@taconic.net