Who was Malidoma Somé?

Malidoma Patrice Somé (1956–2021) was a respected elder, teacher, diviner, and author from the Dagara people of Burkina Faso, West Africa. His name means “friend of the stranger” or “friend of the enemy,” symbolizing his role as a bridge between cultures and worlds. Somé trained extensively both within and outside his tradition. He returned to his village after years away and completed traditional initiation rites with Dagara elders. He went on to earn three master’s degrees and two doctorates and taught at the University of Michigan. He authored several influential books that introduced Dagara cosmology, ritual, and ancestral wisdom to a global audience, including Of Water and the Spirit, The Healing Wisdom of Africa, and Ritual: Power, Healing and Community. These works explore the role of ritual, community, and ancestral connection in personal and collective well‑being.

Is this practice culturally respectful and authentic?

Yes. This practice is offered in alignment with the Dagara spiritual lineage. Malidoma Patrice Somé was instructed by his elders to share Dagara divination practices with the West in a way that honors their integrity and purpose. I trained for 8 years under direct mentorship to become an initiated Dagara diviner and shrine keeper, learning the full depth of the tradition, its protocols, and its ethical frameworks. My approach is rooted in this lineage and training, and I offer sessions with deep reverence, cultural respect, and a focus on meaningful personal insight and growth.

Personal Insight Session: Dagara Stick Divination, by Dana V.

About

Overview

What you'll achieve

Gain clarity on life situations, choices, or recurring patterns
Understand underlying emotional, relational, or energetic influences
Identify next steps for conscious action and personal growth
Learn simple, grounded rituals or practices to integrate guidance
Connect with ancestral wisdom and deeper self-awareness
Experience an immersive, 3-hour session designed for deep reflection and integration

Who this is for

Individuals at a life crossroads or navigating transitions
People seeking clarity on relationships, career, or purpose
Those exploring ancestral guidance or spiritual insight
Anyone interested in integrating ritual as a tool for personal growth
Clients looking for trauma-informed, practical spiritual support

What's included

Trauma-informed, culturally respectful support
Grounded discussion of insights and patterns revealed
Simple embodied practices and optional ritual exercises to support integration
Guidance on practical steps to integrate the messages

Prices

Available packages

180 min session

200 USD

2 sessions, 180 min each

360 USD 10% off

Additional

FAQs

Still need more clarity? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

No. Dagara Stick Divination reveals underlying patterns and guidance for conscious action. It is diagnostic, not predictive.

In the Dagara tradition, ritual is not optional; it is an essential part of the practice. As taught by Malidoma Patrice Somé, within the Dagara tradition insight alone is incomplete, ritual is the active process that moves energy, restores balance, and helps integrate guidance into daily life. Ritual in this context is practical and accessible, designed to support personal insight, emotional release, and reconnection with self, ancestors, and the natural world. During your session, you may be offered simple rituals, elemental practices, or symbolic actions that complement the session and provide a tangible path to embody the guidance received.

Dagara Stick Divination is an in-depth practice. The extended format allows time to explore guidance in depth, reflect on patterns, and integrate practical steps and ritual support into your daily life. This ensures the session is not just insight, but transformative and actionable guidance.