Sorry for missing Wednesday (and being late in general), but Happy Black History Month! Here’s Magdala rocking the Karabela, the National dress of Haiti (Ayiti)
With the way botany is a crucial aspect to Magdala’s character in the Wolfsbane story (even down to how I chose her surname Fleurimond), I thought it appropriate to include the National flower of her culture as well, the Hibiscus (choublak). It’s not only a symbol of resilience and beauty, but it’s also used in medicine as well due to treat inflammation, high blood pressure and aid digestion
In spite of the world around her, Magdala blooms in her thirst for knowledge and keen interest in plants, herbal medicines, and even poisons. Her connection to Haitian vodou despite France’s reinforcement of Catholicism against the Black populace under the Code noir is something that gives her strength, incidentally protecting her from the supernatural corruption she finds herself surrounded by. Aside from her herbalist pursuits, she’d also like to spend her time drawing in her notes and (maladaptive) daydreaming, or drawing about said daydreaming.
Though the story being set in the 1760’s, she is inspired by the women who built up the decades later Haitian revolution (though resistance has been taken for decades by then) through espionage, labor organization, and spiritual/practical guidance to fuel liberation (not to mention the actual fighting and poisoning). I highly recommend giving this video a watch (Dr. Crystal Nicole Eddins) when you have the time if you would like to learn more about the women of the Haitian revolution! She’s also loosely inspired by other accomplished Black contemporaries, like conductor composer and violinist Chevalier de Saint George’s and surgeon and physician Fournier de Pescay.
Other fun facts about Magdala Fleurimond: her animal motif in the story is the hare, symbolizing her quick wit and skittish, restless nature. She was also inspired by the tale Little Red Riding Hood, and that lent to her color motif being red! Her birthday is April 24, 1731, and she always takes salt with her as an extra safety measure. She sleeps 2-4 hours at a time to maximize her study periods, and likes collecting things from around the world when she can (mostly books). Her green tinted glasses in particular are an example of that (started being popularized in the early to mid 18th century)— one of the first things she bought for herself to soothe her migraines and aid her vision.
If you’d like to become more educated regarding Haitian history, current events, or support fundraisers towards causes, people, and the arts, here is @/hobiebrownies Haiti Liberation google doc for additional resources, educational links, and more.
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