Across the United States, intentional communities are emerging as sanctuaries for marginalised groups, serving as vital spaces to preserve cultural practices and hand them down to future generations. From the rolling hills of California to the deep-rooted traditions of Alabama, Black and Indigenous people are reclaiming their heritage through these communal living arrangements, fostering an environment of care, tradition, and resilience.
A Vision of Reclamation
Zappa Montag stands amidst the lush greenery of Black to the Land, an ecovillage nestled in Boonville, California. With its sprawling 76 hectares of fruit trees and gardens, Montag, alongside a small group of Black residents, has cultivated a space that reflects their shared vision of reversing the gentrification that has impacted their communities. “It’s about reclaiming our identity and land,” he asserts, highlighting the importance of healing spaces surrounded by nature.
Montag and his daughter, Bibi Sarai, initially conceived the idea for Black to the Land in 2015 as a response to the gentrification they witnessed in Oakland. Inspired by the need for a nurturing environment, they sought to create a haven for Black people, a place where traditional practices could flourish. Their journey took a significant turn when they were introduced to the Emerald Earth Sanctuary, a community seeking new stewards for their land. Through a unique agreement, Montag’s vision became a reality.
Building Community Through Shared Values
Intentional communities, defined as groups who live together based on shared principles, come in various forms. From urban co-housing to rural ecovillages, these spaces promote communal governance and resource sharing. Historically, after the end of enslavement, Black communities relied on mutual support to thrive in agriculture and business amidst racial adversity. In recent years, this trend has seen a resurgence, with individuals in states like Alabama and Massachusetts turning to intentional living as a means to reconnect with ancestral knowledge and environmental sustainability.
Montag’s commitment to Black to the Land has evolved significantly since its inception. Following the tragic loss of his daughter in February 2023, many reported that visiting the property provided them solace and improved their well-being. This reaffirmed Montag’s resolve to continue their shared dream. Now living on the land full-time, he has worked diligently to recruit new members, collaborating with mentors from the former Emerald Earth Sanctuary to develop skills in agriculture and building.
The Role of Traditional Knowledge
At Ekvn-Yefolecv in Alabama, a community of Maskoke people is taking similar strides to reclaim their heritage. Established in 2018, this ecovillage is situated on land from which they were forcibly removed 180 years ago. Here, the Maskoke people practice traditional agricultural methods while fostering a matriarchal governance structure. Their commitment to language immersion and ecological sustainability serves as a model for other Indigenous communities striving to preserve their culture.
Marcus Briggs-Cloud, a co-founder of Ekvn-Yefolecv, encapsulates the community’s ethos: “We needed to change the way we live by recreating a society in which our language once functioned best.” The community’s efforts to cultivate Native crops and reintroduce endangered species, like buffalo and sturgeon, underscore the significance of traditional ecological knowledge in ensuring cultural survival.
A Collective Journey Towards Healing
Communal living offers members a refuge from the pressures of systemic oppression, allowing for healing and joy in shared experiences. In central Massachusetts, the Solidarity Arts & Education Decolonial Initiatives (SAEDi) collective exemplifies this spirit. Managed by an Afro-Latine filmmaker and supported by a diverse group of women of colour, the collective’s home serves as a creative hub for art projects focused on food sovereignty and social justice. They prioritise mutual support, ensuring that financial burdens do not lead to insecurity for any member.
As Julivic Marquez, one of the collective’s leaders, explains, their aim is to foster safety and security for families facing increasing precarity. Their plans for a community garden and residencies for elders reflect a commitment to nurturing intergenerational knowledge and support.
Why it Matters
The rise of intentional communities among Black and Indigenous populations is not merely a trend; it is a profound movement towards reclaiming identity, heritage, and resilience. These spaces provide critical opportunities for cultural preservation, healing, and community-building in a world increasingly marked by division and inequality. As these communities flourish, they not only offer a blueprint for sustainable living but also serve as beacons of hope for future generations, ensuring that the rich tapestries of their cultures remain vibrant and alive.
