#themaati

[themaatimag-blog]

Bike Giveaway

We'll be announcing the winner of the Pure Fix Cycle bike tomorrow at 5 pm EST. Good luck to all the entrants!

[mnyamane]

"I created the Ma’Ati after several frustrating years of looking for a travel magazine that spoke to the type of explorer that I am. It is hard to find good, travel content that appeals to a young, Black, artsy, urban, ancient, trippy, fantasy loving biker-girl. Having traveled to over ten countries around the world, and living in places like Ghana, France and Egypt, travel and adventure became the ultimate mode of creative expression for me. It made me a better writer and cleverer when it came to critical-thinking, networking, budgeting and living for the moment"- Shamira Muhammad

[themaatimag-blog]

My Wonderful Companions

Have you ever heard the term “Imidiwan?

In many Semitic languages, and specifically with the Tuaregs of Niger and Mali, it translates to “companion.” But not just any companion. It is a friend that you may have only met once on a journey or have known for a lifetime that evokes a strong, beautiful sense of knowing. 

Over the past few days, I have met so many Imidiwans. Folks who have liked the Ma’Ati project on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram. Folks who have thrown love my way, and encouraged me as I pursue something that has allowed me to be publicly vulnerable. I have met Imidiwans who have proven that the youth of the world will stop at nothing to explore the world and stand strong for creativity. I have fallen in love with all of these Imidiwans.

So no matter what happens with my fundraising, if no other pledges are made, a spark has already been lit and I will never be the same. I adore traveling, exploring and adventures because I have never been attached to geographic locations. I have been attached to people. Thank you so much for 5 days of excitement and grace. Let’s keep this going.

If you are moved to pledge to my Kickstarter campaign, please feel free to pledge here. 

[themaatimag-blog]

Our Voices Are RISING

Fellow nomads,

It's only been 48 hours since the Ma'Ati nation launched this project and we're already nearly 8% funded! ... I'm just going to claim it :)

All day today, I've received beautiful messages from folks I don't know and amazing encouragement from folks I do know... Perhaps it's because so many amazing people feel as I do. That we are more connected than we are separate, and that we're all playing a part in an amazing storied web of love, art, culture and exploration.

I began writing the first chapter of the Ma'Ati nearly two years ago. Back then, all I knew was that I wanted a space on the Internet that helped explorers like me, and that also had a story attached to it... My grandfather had just had a stroke, and I was home from France helping him and daydreaming about where I was supposed to be in the world, and who I was. Really, who did I come from? And then the Ma'Ati came to me...

And this can really happen. For those who've already pledged, you wonderful people, I commend you for being pioneers for something so new and for believing in me as a messenger. I appreciate everything. And I'd like to challenge everyone's imagination. I dare everyone to envision who you truly are. What was your ancestor's legacy? Beyond slavery and beyond titles. What if the world had connected through THEM?

So let's quietly let our voices rise loudly. The story of the Ma'Ati is the story of a Diaspora profound not in its fantasy (if I do say so myself) but in its connection to our reality as globally conscious youth. It's all real and it's all ancient. And so are you. So please blow some stardust our way and let's get this story told.

<3 Shamira