Hey, I’m Portia…

Born in South Africa, shaped by Tswana and Sepedi roots, and grown slowly, sideways, through New York City and long seasons of Southeast Asia. I came to my voice through movement, and to my mother tongue through sitting still long enough to listen.

English thinks for me. Setswana carries the older things: feeling, memory, the proverbs of my ancestors, like small lanterns in a long hallway. I share them here to stay close to where I come from, and to make room for you to do the same.

I also play the gong as I journey through listening as its own kind of language.

Thank you for being here!

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