Weaving art and spirituality
to seed transformational potency into the collective.
We draw inspiration from a mosaic of earth-based ancient wisdom traditions infused with emergent modalities to create potent ritual experiences that alchemize hidden potentials opening the way for our best lives to co-create the futures we desire.
From The Ashes was inspired by the Dagara tradition of making offerings of ash to ancestors and spirit allies in the unseen world to give power and protection to the prayers, and the timeless mythology of the Phoenix rising from the ashes in a continuous cycle of renewal and rebirth into new beginnings.
The project aspires to empower those looking to connect more deeply with their own spiritual path, to connect with and heal their ancestral lineages, and to deepen their understanding of the Dagara’s ancient wisdom traditions as well as other timeless traditions passed down through generations.
This is a living library project that will grow and expand over time to include:
Additional collections of Traoré’s prolific artworks, in additiona to masks, statues, and other relics that he has collected through his life travels in West Africa.
Collections of other artists and artwork that serve to regenerate ancient wisdom traditions, support indigenous cultures and lands, or illuminate and empower the medicine path for seekers and healers.
Connections to other initiated Diviners in the Dagara Divination lineage and medicine people carrying other lineages and modalities aligned with the vision and intention of From The Ashes.
A meta-apothecary and archive of teachings, resources, and practices of the healing arts.
Collection of songs, poems, podcasts, and artwork meant to inspire a deeper connection to the seen and unseen dimensions of life, spirit, and the cosmos.
Below is a brief bio of the people who make this project possible, and connections to other projects and people that are aligned with the purpose and intention of From The Ashes.
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TYLOR MIDDLESTADT
FOUNDER, DIVINER, CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEUR
Tylor is the Founder of From the Ashes and and initiated “Stick Medicine” Diviner in lineage of the Dagara People of Burkina Faso.
He has a B.S. of Architectural Engineering, Masters of Intuition Medicine (2015), Spiral Dynamics Level I & II Certification, and 20 years experience in construction project leadership.
Tylor owns and leads consulting companies in the US and Indonesia with a mission to Build a Better World.
He created From The Ashes to bridge the divide between his technical expertise and his medicine path as a Diviner and medical intuitive.
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TRAORÉ OUMAROU
DAGARA ARTIST, TEACHER, AND VISIONARY
Traoré is A community leader in Dano, Burkina Faso where he teaches and creates art, organizes an annual Dagara cultural festival, and inspires Dagara youth to embrace their cultural identity and preserve the timeless traditions of the Dagara.
He is the Featured Artist for From The Ashes first Medicine Art collection, and works closely with Tylor through the Zangala Foundation to coordinate and manage the annual FASIE festival in Dano.
He believes visual art is a collective memory, and aspires to infuse his passion for Dagara and greater West African spiritual wisdom traditions into his artwork, and the collective memory of the world.
A portion of all Dagara Collection sales revenues are provided directly to the artist.
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CARMEN LEILANI DE JESUS
MUSE, CHANGE ARTIST, FORCE MULTIPLIER
Carmen Leilani De Jesus is an advocate for collective liberation, personal sovereignty and equitable, regenerative futures.
Carmen has dedicated her life work to empowering others and decolonizing mindbody through her training in the Wheel of Consent® framework, Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Guided Imagery.Her insights and approaches to 1:1 coaching and group trainings are also informed by an understanding of trauma and the nervous system, neurodivergence, intersectional identities, privilege and power dynamics and worldviews which include initiation into the Dagara Divination lineage of Earth and Ancestral Connection.
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ZANGALA FOUNDATION
Founded in 2007, Zangala’s Mission is to preserve and revitalize the cultural traditions of the Dagara People of Burkina Faso.
Zangala provides material support in times of need for Dagara people, wisdom keepers, Diviners, and supporting communities, programs, and projects, to foster a model of reciprocity between indigenous and modern worlds, ensuring that the exchange of wisdom and resources sustains both.
Their flagship project, the annual Dagara Balafon Festival in Dano, Burkina Faso, has been successfully attracting hundreds of youth performers, and thousands of community spectators for more than 20 years.
A portion of all From The Ashes profits are donated to Zangala.