A Radical Home Hive

Selvy Thiruvengadam grew up in a progressive social experiment you may have never heard of - Columbia, MD.

If you grew up in the mainland United States, chances are you grew up around a bunch of people that looked like you, ate like you, and held similar beliefs. Even in large, culturally diverse cities, ‘birds of a feather flock together’ with pockets of economically and ethnically similar individuals living side by side.

Mystic Bee Sanctuary Founder, Selvy Thiruvengadam had a different experience. She grew up in the tiny cultural melting pot and social experiment that is Columbia Maryland. Founded by experimental developer James Rouse in 1967, Colombia is the United State’s oldest planned community, based on a radical premise: inclusion of all races, income levels and religious backgrounds with equal access to amenities and nature for all.

Columbia’s most unique feature is it’s interfaith center. Rather than separate churches, mosques, or temples, devotees of various faiths hold separate services under one roof.

For Selvy, it was normal to attend a birthday party whose attendees were of all different races and ethnic backgrounds. Her childhood street, the first street in Columbia - William Tell Lane - was home to Japanese-Hawaiian, German, Polish, Black, White and her own Indian family. Selvy’s Dad, who goes by Dr. T., moved his young family to the third home built in Columbia, from Laurel, Maryland after being refused service at the local barber because they ‘didn’t cut Indian hair’. It was 1967.

Selvy’s roots in Columbia, MD inform the Mystic Bee Sanctuary’s mission - founded in 2015 to serve as a safe place for people of all backgrounds and abilities to create, connect, and just BEE. A Sandtray Therapist for over 25 years, Selvy offers sandtray therapy sessions, drumming, workshops and retreats at the Mystic Bee Sanctuary.

This month, Selvy is returning to Columbia to complete a circle of sorts. Her mom is retiring from the Howard County Library - long considered one of the top libraries in the United States - where she worked for over twenty years. After retirement celebrations Selvy will be helping her mom relocate to Kailua-Kona - bringing with her an invaluable “living library” of experience from Columbia, MD. Her dad also plans to buzz on over from Columbia to the Big Island soon!

Until next time, may peace BEE with you, and may you thrive in your hive!