Tintawi Charaka Kaigziabiher

Tintawi Kaigziabiher (B.1978) is an interdisciplinary artist, mother, and writer originally from the New Jersey and the NYC Metro Area. Coming from a religiously, ethnically, and culturally diverse family and community she was exposed to Black artists, scholars, and activists at a young age. She draws much of her inspiration from her grandparents who were self-taught artisans, masons, ditchdiggers, and builders. For the last 11 years she has called the high desert of northern New Mexico her home along with her husband and their 5 children. As a multicultural woman of African Descent, Tintawi strives to give a voice to the African experience in the diaspora through her storytelling, advocacy, writing, and art. In her work she bridges the skills of her ancestors with contemporary inspiration and creates using a variety of mediums including clay, beading, crochet, and carving to produce works that tell the stories of the past and future. She is particulary drawn to organic materials and transforms these natural ingredients into ceremonial vessels, instruments, and sacred talismans. In the community Tintawi sits on the board for Black Health New Mexico, is a member of Earthseed Black Arts Alliance and NM Breastfeeding Taskforce, serves as an Olorisa of Yemoja (a Priest in the Lukumi tradition), works as a Doula, Doula Trainer with Childbirth International, as a Certified Lactation Counselor, and the Non-fiction Editor for the Santa Fe Literary Review. Recently her work, a series of ceremonial rattles have been featured at Vital Spaces, Form and Concept Gallery, and El Museo Cultural. Tintawi is a published author of three books. Her most recent publication is “We Speak” a full length poem addressing appropriation, racism, and the strength of African peoples in the Americas.