Nine miles separate the continents of Africa and Europe. On a clear day, in the Strait of Gibraltar, it’s possible to see the distance between Spain and Morocco. This proximity makes it seem almost inevitable that African influences are woven throughout Spain’s rich tapestry of culture and history.
Yet, even on the clearest of days, Spain’s African contributions, history, and influences often remain obscured. Enter Kwame Ondo, a visionary who is changing that narrative through his company, Afroiberica Tours. The idea for these tours had been five years in the making while he operated tours in Barcelona.
“I work in tourism, and I could sense, especially with Black travelers, that something was missing,” Ondo tells Travel Noire. “They were enjoying the tours and places, but felt there was an element they were not getting, which was including them in the story.” This realization sparked a passion in Ondo to create a space where African history and contributions could be highlighted and celebrated.
Born in Equatorial Guinea, the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, Ondo’s connection to Spain’s colonial past is deeply personal. Spain colonized Equatorial Guinea from 1778 until its independence on October 12, 1968. His mother moved him and his brothers to Spain when he was just eight years old. Growing up in Spain, he was acutely aware of the interplay between Spain’s colonial history and Africa’s influence, which manifested in language, cultural references, and sometimes, prejudice.
“I was always curious about why there were all of these negative narratives against Black people,” Ondo shares. “I knew there was something they were not telling me, and as I got older, I started to do my own research.” His quest for knowledge led him to explore the works of influential Black thinkers like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X, as well as historians from the United States, Africa, and Spain.
Exploring Black History In Spain Through Afroiberica Tours
One of the most surprising histories Ondo uncovered is the existence of La Hermandad de los Negritos, or The Brotherhood of the Negro, founded in 1393 in Seville. This organization, established nearly a century before Columbus’s voyage to the Americas, was created to provide refuge and support for enslaved and free Black individuals under the protection of Don Gonzalo de Mena y Roeles, the archbishop of Seville. Such stories are just a glimpse into the rich tapestry of African history in Spain that Ondo shares during his two-hour walking tour in Madrid.
In a city renowned for its monumental architecture, landmarks, and gastronomy, Ondo’s tours delve into the African contributions embedded in royal palaces, monuments, art, and the overall development of Madrid. Participants leave with a deeper understanding of how intertwined these histories are.
Expanding Afroiberica Tour Through Spain
Launched in 2022, Afroiberica began as a passion project for Ondo, aimed at offering visitors the parts of Spain’s story that had been overlooked. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, attracting a diverse audience from around the globe, including charities, group travelers, NGOs, schools, solo travelers, and universities.
“Inclusion is very important to me,” Ondo emphasizes. “It’s also crucial to teach these stories and contributions because we are part of Spain’s history and the history all over the world.” His mission extends beyond Madrid; he plans to expand the tours to other cities in Spain, including Barcelona, Cádiz, and Seville. Tours are available in both English and Spanish, catering to a wide audience eager to learn about the rich African heritage that has shaped Spain.
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