The Mama Baranka Tour is not your typical city walk. It’s a decolonial journey through Amsterdam’s untold histories, tracing the resilience of Afro-Caribbean communities and other voices too often left out.
Co-created with Elvira Semmoh (Mama Baranka Foundation), Nelson Carrilho (sculptor and cultural guardian), and Robin van Erven-Dorens (history storyteller), this experience uncovers stories of migration, identity and resistance, culminating at the symbolic Mama Baranka sculpture, created in memory of Kerwin Duinmeijer, a teenager murdered in a racially motivated attack.
The upcoming dates for the Mama Baranka tour are 30 July, 13 August, 27 August & 10 September
Whether you’re rooted in this city or discovering it anew, this tour offers a new lens on truth, remembrance and belonging.
The Mama Baranka Tour is an inspiring, behind-the-scenes journey through Amsterdam, uncovering stories often left out of mainstream narratives. As we move through historical sites and present-day landmarks, you’ll hear about Afro-Caribbean memory, migration, cultural resistance and the people who helped shape the soul of the city.
This is not your typical city tour, it’s a layered exploration of history, identity and belonging. The experience culminates at the powerful Mama Baranka sculpture, honouring heritage, resilience and remembrance through art and story.
This tour is for Amsterdammers who want to see their city through a new lens, for visitors seeking something deeper than the usual highlights and for anyone drawn to story, reflection and connection.
Whether you’re coming solo, with friends, or as part of a group, Mama Baranka invites presence.
Organising something for your team, school or organisation? We can customise the experience to fit your context.
The Mama Baranka Tour takes you on a journey of discovery, exploring overlooked communities, resilience and cultural identity in the city.
Meet & introduction at studio Nelson Carrilho
We begin at the studio of Nelson Carrilho, sculptor and cultural guardian behind Mama Baranka. Get an intimate look into his artistic journey and the meaning behind his public artworks.
Untold stories city walk
Together with your guides, explore key locations that highlight untold narratives from colonial traces to migration histories and community resistance.
Mama Baranka reflection at Vondelpark
The tour ends at Mama Baranka in Vondelpark, where we reflect on the journey, its impact, and the power of representation.
Join us for an eye-opening experience that reshapes how you see the city and whose stories it holds.
We host the tour on Wednesday evenings betwen 19:00 – 21:00 hour on the following dates
- 30 July
- 13 August
- 27 August
- 10 September – for the Omek community
This tour is not about tourist landmarks, it’s about the people, communities and stories that have shaped the city from the margins.
This ~2,5-hour tour covers approximately 5 km of walking, you’ll be invited into a deeper way of seeing Amsterdam, through stories often left untold.
With a maximum of 15 participants, the experience stays intimate and reflective, allowing for meaningful engagement and open conversation.
What’s included:
- Guided city tour exploring hidden histories
- Stories of migration, resilience and resistance
- Exclusive insight into Mama Baranka and her meaning
- Intimate group experience for deeper reflection
What to bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Rain gear (we’re in the Netherlands!)
- An open mind and heart
- Curiosity about identity, history and culture
Language:
Tours are offered in Dutch or English, depending on the group. You’ll be informed of the language beforehand.
Weather:
If the weather isn’t ideal but still manageable, the tour will partly take place indoors at Nelson Carrilho’s studio and follow an adapted route through the Jordaan and Westerpark. Mama Baranka will not be visited on this route, but her story remains central, told through a different lens, along different streets.
In case of very bad weather predictions, the tour may be rescheduled.
This is more than a walking tour, it’s a guided remembrance experience led by artists and historians who carry the stories of this city in their bones.
Your contribution includes:
- Exclusive access to Nelson’s studio, where you can see his artwork and enjoy coffee or tea in an intimate setting
- A 2 to 2.5-hour guided experience through Amsterdam
- Personal stories and insights shared by Nelson Carrilho (sculptor & cultural guardian) and Robin van Erven-Dorens (historian & storyteller)
- A decolonial lens on the city, uncovering layered histories often left out
- A closing ritual at the Mama Baranka sculpture in Vondelpark
10% of all proceeds go directly to the Mama Baranka Foundation, supporting remembrance work, cultural healing and decolonial education.
Looking for a private or custom version of this tour for your group, school or organisation? Or need a social pricing for this tour? Reach out to us at contact@lifeofgini.nl for more info.
Wednesdays (biweekly)
- Atelier Carrilho - Amsterdam
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- Decolonising city narratives
- A tour beyond the mainstream
- Stories of identity & strength
Decolonial Amsterdam city tour & untold stories
Mama Baranka Tour
Cities are full of hidden stories but not all are told. The Mama Baranka Tour takes you beyond the mainstream, into the voices and experiences of overlooked communities that have shaped Amsterdam’s cultural and historical landscape.
This decolonial walking experience is co-created by artist Nelson Carrilho, storyteller Robin van Erven Dorens, and cultural educator Elvira Semmoh of the Mama Baranka Foundation.
The journey begins at Studio Nelson Carrilho, where you’ll gain exclusive insight into his artistic process and the deeper purpose of public sculpture. A central story in this tour is that of Kerwin Duinmeijer, a 15-year-old boy murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1983. His death remains a painful but essential reminder of the realities of racism in the Netherlands. The tour concludes at Mama Baranka in Vondelpark, the sculpture Nelson created in Kerwin’s honour a monument to resilience and a call to remember.
10% of all proceeds goes directly to the Mama Baranka Foundation, supporting ongoing work in decolonial education, cultural storytelling and community remembrance.
Step into the stories that shaped the city and change the way you see it.
Connecting people across cultures
GINI experience
GINI believes that travel should remember, restore and reconnect us to stories that matter.
It should be a way to engage deeply with place, honour the past, and support a more just and inclusive future, especially by helping to rewrite the narratives that have long been distorted or erased.
That’s why we offer journeys and experiences that go beyond the surface, rooted in community, shaped by lived histories and carried by the power of decolonial travel & storytelling.
All our experiences are built on three pillars:
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Leave an impact – Every journey and experience invites conscious participation, awareness and cultural respect
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Support local economies – A portion of profits supports grassroots foundations local businesses and community-led initiatives.
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Cultural remembrance – We create space for truth, healing and intergenerational that honours what came before.
The Mama Baranka Tour is deeply important to us. It embodies all three pillars, with storytelling that disrupts silence, direct support to the Mama Baranka Foundation.
This is what GINI stands for: travel as a force for truth!
Answers to guide your impact
FAQ
Who is this tour for?
This tour is for anyone who wants to explore Amsterdam through a different lens, one that centres hidden histories, cultural resilience and decolonial storytelling. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or someone reconnecting with ancestral roots, this experience invites open minds, reflective hearts and a willingness to see the city beyond the mainstream.
Do I need prior knowledge of the city?
No! Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, this tour provides new insights into overlooked histories and communities.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately ~2,5 hours, including storytelling stops and reflections.
How much walking is involved?
We’ll walk approximately 5 km through the city center. If this is too challenging, please email us at contact@lifeofgini.nl to discuss whether we can adjust the tour to your needs.
Who is leading the tour?
The tour is co-hosted by artist Nelson Carrilho and storyteller Robin van Erven Dorens, bringing together art, history and lived experiences.
Where does the tour start and end?
We begin at Studio Nelson Carrilho and end at Mama Baranka in Vondelpark.
Is the tour accessible?
The tour involves city walking, but we aim to be as accessible as possible. If you have specific needs, please reach out so we can explore options together.
Does this tour support a cause?
Yes! A portion of the profits is donated to the Mama Baranka Foundation, supporting its mission to keep these stories alive.
What if the weather is bad?
Since we’re in the Netherlands, we recommend bringing comfortable shoes and rain gear. In case of severe weather predictions, the tour may be rescheduled.
Cultural remembrance
GINI's impact
Support local economies
Slow and soulful experiences
Leave a lasting impact
Stories that remember
Ready for impact?
Mama Baranka Tour
Step into an experience that inspires change, book your GINI experience today!
