Thursday 23 Feb 2012
The Ancestral Wisdom Bridge Foundation, d.b.a. as East Coast Village, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of the living traditions of indigenous peoples and the relevance of such traditions to improving the spiritual and personal well-being of people throughout our society; in keeping with the living traditions of many indigenous peoples, to encourage people to live in harmony with the environment and to preserve the environment for future generations; to thereby promote the spiritual and personal well-being of people; and to carry out the foregoing purposes by establishing ways for people to obtain, share, and develop information about the ways to improve themselves, society, and the environment, including conducting conferences, seminars and retreats in furtherance of the foregoing purposes.
We are an inclusive and diverse community that honors our connection to the Ancestors and Nature. We are dedicated to empowering people through the practices of indigenous African spirit technologies as brought to the West by Dagara Elder, Dr. Malidoma Somé.
Malidoma teaches that the healing power of nature, ritual and community is what the indigenous world offers to the modern world. In the indigenous world, community is integral to the harmony and balance of each individual. Ritual is the technology that weaves the individual and his/her gifts into a community that activates the transformative power of the natural world. We offer to the West, African spirit technologies, so long held secret, as tools to enable individuals live more peaceful and empowered lives.
Learn more about Malidoma Somé
K’a te sankun koro sium a ti tieru
ti kuti zumon Ka ti tuon gnin a ti vla zie to to sao deu.
May all ancestors join force to wake up our spirit and put good thoughts into our psyche. Then we shall see the good that awaits us and accept it.
The roots of The East Coast Village began during workshops held by Malidoma in the northeast and Chicago area. In 2001, the Training began at Nine Mountain Retreat Center, just east of Northampton, Massachusetts. By 2003 the ECV had purchased land allowing Malidoma to dedicate shrines to the Spirits.
After three years of shrine building and their associated rituals, we were able to hold the first Beyi ritual in the west, the pre-requisite for Elder Initiation. In 2006, ten people went through the arduous three week Elder Initiation process.
Along with shrine building, members of the ECV built a 24×36 foot lodge, which now has electricity, four cabins (with more to be built), and a temporary kitchen. A second Elder Initiation was completed last year, and we are now in the second year of the first IAST or Indigenous African Spirit Technology training to be held on the ECV land. We still need a kitchen, a well, a septic and a pond (necessary for certain rituals).
The East Coast Village, the Land (as it is loving called), is located at 250 Bly Hollow Road, Cherry Plain, NY 12040, about 40 miles east of Albany. Find us on the map (for mapping, the location is Petersburg, NY 12138).
It is situated in a rustic, natural setting with a protected stream and plenty of woodlands. It is a three season camp-like facility, with few indoor accommodations for sleeping and no running water. Drinking water is provided from nearby Lebanon Springs during events.
The Lodge: The Land is equipped with a heated lodge, built with love by members of the Village. This space is the primary training/meeting space and maybe available for sleeping. When available for sleeping a rate of $10/night/person is required. In the event that the weather makes it advisable to sleep indoors, no fee will be charged to those camping in a tent.
Cabins: There are currently 5 unheated cabins which provide shared sleeping for two or four people. The cabins are unheated and undressed, so please bring your own bedding, pillows, etc., and warm clothing. Even during the summer months, the temperature can drop considerably. To stay in a cabin, reservation is required along with a $20/night per person cost.
Tents: Currently tent platforms are being constructed, however you can erect a tent on the Land for free during an event where you can find an ideal spot. To rent an existing tent platform, the following fees will be applied:
There are also a limited number of tents available. Please consult with the event coordinator to make arrangements for their use if needed.
Off-site Lodging: There are local B&B’s in the area for those who prefer the warmth and comfort of the indoors. A few local villagers can also provide modern accommodations in their homes (for a fee) on a first-come-first-served basis.
Rituals may involve getting wet or dirty, so bring comfortable clothing for outdoor wear; even during summer, some nights may be cool, so include warm clothing; rain gear; outdoor shoes/boots and good woolen socks for rustic, muddy terrain; indoor sandals or socks as we ask you to remove your shoes in the Lodge; good sunhat for bugs, rain and sun; towel; flashlight (a headlamp is ideal); DEET-FREE bug repellent; sunscreen; pillow or cushion if you like sitting on the floor.
Please bring your own tent, tarp, bedding, pillows, etc for your overnight stay. A Limited number of sleeping bags are available, please consult with the event moderator.
Amenities: There is a tented kitchen with refrigeration, propane stoves, electric coffee maker and toaster oven. Excellent drinking water is brought in from Lebanon Springs, a nearby historic water source. The washing up station is fed by a pump from a nearby stream that flows through the Land. Portable toilets, portable showers and bucket baths are the norm.
Cherry Plain State Park: Cherry Plain State Park has 175 acres and features a sandy beach on Black River Pond, with bathhouse and comfort station nearby. Picnic grounds and a boat launch are adjacent to the beach. The park also has bridle paths and hiking, biking and nature trails that serve for cross-country skiing in winter. Anglers fish for bass, bullheads and pickerel and may also ice fish in winter. The park also has 10 trailer sites and 10 lakeside tent sites available for overnight camping.
The East Coast Village is located in the town of Berlin, Rensselaer County, NY. It's a short ride in from nearby Vermont, Massachusetts and New York City. When planning to visit the Land, you may also want to include visits to some of the many historic spots in the Capital City region.
By Air: Albany International [ALB]
By Rail: Amtrak to Albany-Rensselaer, NY [ALB]
By Bus: Megabus, Greyhound/Trailways to Albany, NY
To arrange for pickup from these locations to and from an event, please contact the event director prior to your arrival.
Driving? Get directions
We provide rustic accommodations at the ECV. You may prefer to stay in one of the local B&B's or hotels in the area. For your convenience, many are listed below:
Bed and Breakfasts/Country Inns
Motels & Hotels
By Mail: Ancestral Wisdom Bridge Foundation, P O Box 82, Cherry Plain, NY 12040
By Phone: 518.658.0122 (from April to October)
Holly Brown, Treasurer: hmb3o (at) comcast.net
regarding donations and other financial inquiries
Aamirah Branch, Program Director: events (at) eastcoastvillage.org
questions regarding events and accommodations
Robert Walker, President: info (at) eastcoastvillage.org
general inquiry about the Foundation
Board of Directors: ecv-board (at) googlegroups.com
Robert Walker, President
Brandon Davis, Chair
Holly Brown, Treasurer
Lula Christopher
Leon Chaban
Ukumbwa Sauti
Theresa Thomas
