About Sionnach.be
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A space to rediscover the lives, traditions, and wisdom of women through the ages.
My name is Jessica Van Humbeeck, and I’m a historian-in-training and folk herbalist. Sionnach.be is my passion project, a place where I bring together my love for history, historical food traditions, herbal knowledge and the everyday lives of women throughout the centuries.
What is Sionnach.be?
Sionnach is more than a platform; it is a space for exploring the past and bringing forgotten knowledge back into the present. Inspired by the real lives of women in history, Sionnach delves into the ways they lived, cooked, healed, and honoured nature across time. Through research, storytelling, and hands-on experimentation, I aim to revive and share this knowledge in an accessible way.
What you’ll find on Sionnach.be
This project is a journey into the rich heritage of women's traditions. Here, I explore:
🔸 Historical foodways – How women cooked, preserved, and used food in daily life, rituals, and healing.
🔸 Herbal traditions – The role of herbs in women's lives, from practical remedies to symbolic meanings in folklore and rituals.
🔸 Women’s lives through history – Daily routines, social roles, and forgotten female figures who shaped our past.
🔸 Crafts and storytelling – Exploring historical crafts, traditional skills, and the way stories passed knowledge through generations.
🔸 Reflections and research – Thought-provoking articles about the intersection of history, nature, and the feminine experience.
Whether you are passionate about history, curious about the knowledge of past generations, or simply want to learn more about the traditions that shaped women's lives, Sionnach.be offers a gateway into these lost worlds.
The story behind Sionnach.be
Sionnach.be began as a personal journey. My love for history, food traditions, and herbal knowledge led me to explore the real, everyday lives of women in the past—not just the well-known queens and noblewomen, but the healers, cooks, midwives, and ordinary women who carried wisdom through generations.
I regularly recreate historical recipes, research forgotten traditions, and bring them back to life through storytelling and practice. As a historical re-enactor, I step into the past to experience history firsthand, sharing my findings along the way.
The name “Sionnach” (pronounced shun-ock) means “fox” in Irish Gaelic, a creature known for its adaptability, intelligence, and connection to hidden paths of knowledge. Sionnach.be reflects that spirit—exploring the wisdom of the past while making it relevant today.
Who is Sionnach.be for?
This space is for anyone who:
✔️ Is fascinated by the daily lives of women throughout history.
✔️ Wants to learn about historical food, herbs, and traditions from a research-based perspective.
✔️ Enjoys hands-on historical experiments, from cooking to herbal practices.
✔️ Seeks an accessible and engaging approach to women’s history.
Stay connected
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🔸 Join the Sionnach community and rediscover the knowledge, resilience, and ingenuity of women throughout history.
Let’s explore the past together—one story, one recipe, one forgotten tradition at a time.
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