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Yule, also known as Yuletide, is a pagan festival that predates the Christian celebration of Christmas. It is typically observed during the winter solstice, which falls on or around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the promise of longer days. Yule rituals vary among different pagan traditions, but there are some common practices that are often observed during this festival. One common ritual is the burning of the Yule log, which symbolizes the light and warmth that the sun brings. The log is usually made of a special wood, such as oak or pine, and is lit on the eve of the solstice.

Poisoned Apple, from the book CROWNED, which casts Black children as the central characters in fairy and folk tales. (CROWNED)

Perhaps the most striking element in the picture is Asha s hair, a structure of carefully placed black braids and white pearls piled high on top of her head. From the New York Times bestselling authors of GLORY, Kahran and Regis Bethencourt of CreativeSoul Photography, comes CROWNED, a collection that completely reimagines how we see our favorite and most beloved childhood fairy and folk tales.

The log is usually made of a special wood, such as oak or pine, and is lit on the eve of the solstice. As the log burns, participants may make wishes or set intentions for the coming year. Another common Yule ritual is the decorating of an evergreen tree.

A Husband and Wife Reimagine Fairy Tales with Black Children in Mind

Bathed in a golden light, she looks out from a photo resembling a fashion magazine spread with a commanding stare, surrounded by massive teddy bears. Instead of yellow curly hair, she wears thick, afro-textured, honey blonde locs.

This is the Goldilocks of from the Diaspora by husband and wife photographers Kahran and Regis Bethencourt. The two have reimagined familiar stories with photographs of Black children and, occasionally, new plot points, in an elaborate book of 141 photos.

It’s the sequel to 2021’s GLORY: Magical Visions of Black Beauty.

The book is broken down into three categories: Classic fairy tales, African and African American Folktales and original stories. The couple intentionally casts Black children of different ages, skin tones and hair textures in traditionally white roles, like Cinderella.

Cinderella becomes Asha in this retelling. (CROWNED)

In the retelling of Cinderella, “Asha the Little Cinder Girl,” Asha wears an extravagant blue gown with purple tulle shooting from the bottom as Jamal, her Prince Charming, slides on a white high-top sneaker instead of a glass slipper.

Perhaps the most striking element in the picture is Asha’s hair, a structure of carefully placed black braids and white pearls piled high on top of her head.

“I think it’s important for, specifically, Black and brown kids to be able to see themselves reflected in the stories that they read growing up,” Kahran said.

The Bethencourts began their photography careers in Atlanta in 2009. For a while, they worked in the children’s fashion industry, capturing headshots for adolescent actors and shooting campaigns for kids’ brands. But they noticed a specific and unsettling pattern among Black children in the industry.

Poisoned Apple, from the book CROWNED, which casts Black children as the central characters in fairy and folk tales. (CROWNED)

“We realized that a lot of the kids that had natural Afro hair would come in to get their headshots and the parents would have their hair straightened because they thought that’s what they needed to do to get their kids into the industry,” Kahran said.

“We thought, ‘Gosh, wow! At an early age we’re teaching our kids that they’re not acceptable, that their looks are not good enough.'”

The two began doing personal projects where Black children were encouraged to wear their natural hair in fashionable settings. Staying connected to the industry helped them build enough clientele to create their own photography company, CreativeSoul.

Candyland, from the book ‘CROWNED’, which retells familiar stories with Black children. (CROWNED)

CROWNED is a visual representation of the CreativeSoul original mission: celebrate and embrace natural Black beauty. But the book also showcases Regis and Kahran’s ability to imagine and translate new worlds.

“Goldi: The Girl with the Golden Locks” was the favorite story for Regis to retell because the original story “didn’t really have a lesson at the end.”

“It pretty much was a story about a privileged girl going in and just eating everything and just leaving and going back home,” he said. “No lesson learned.”

In CROWNED, Goldi is still a privileged girl, but she is welcomed into the bears’ home. The bears don’t have much, but they have each other and a once-haughty Goldi leaves the house with three new friends and an appreciation for nurturing her relationships.

Changing the ending “was so cool for me because I feel like we’re actually changing history,” Regis said.

Treasures from the sea nestle in the little mermaid’s rosy hair as she strikes a royal pose. (CROWNED)

The book was released May 23, three days before the live action film The Little Mermaid premiered with Halle Bailey, a Black woman with natural locs, as Ariel, a princess and the main character.

Like the live-action adaption of The Little Mermaid, the Bethencourts’ version is setting the standard for Black representation in traditionally white spaces.

The husband and wife duo dress Aliyah, the little mermaid, in silver jewels and colorful pearls from head-to-toe. As she floats under the sea, she plays in her big red flowing hair filled with loose braids, shells, leaves and bright red tulle.

Aliyah holds her head high in every shot like the most confident, royal figures. She stares off into the distance and also directly at the camera, as if to say this story was always her own.

CROWNED is a visual representation of the CreativeSoul original mission: celebrate and embrace natural Black beauty. But the book also showcases Regis and Kahran’s ability to imagine and translate new worlds.

The evergreen tree represents the enduring spirit of nature, even in the midst of winter. It is adorned with lights, ornaments, and other decorations, symbolizing the beauty and abundance of the natural world. Some pagans also hang small gifts or charms on the tree as offerings to the spirits of nature. Feasting is an essential part of Yule celebrations. Pagan traditions often emphasize the importance of sharing a bountiful meal with loved ones during this time. The feast may include traditional dishes made with seasonal ingredients, such as roasted meats, root vegetables, and spiced drinks. Sharing food and drink is seen as a way to honor the cycles of nature and express gratitude for the abundance of the earth. In addition to these specific rituals, Yule is also a time for reflection, introspection, and connecting with the natural world. Many pagans use this time to meditate, perform divination, or engage in other spiritual practices. It is a time to let go of the old and make space for the new, both within ourselves and in the world around us. While Yule is rooted in pagan traditions, it continues to be celebrated by many people today, both as a secular holiday and as a part of different religious and spiritual practices. The emphasis on nature, community, and the changing seasons makes Yule a meaningful and inclusive celebration for people of all backgrounds and beliefs..

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