The DomiKnow is back – to close off the Week Tegen Racisme 2025 – with another event sharing the stories of the BIPOC community through movement, spoken word and music. The way our ancestors shared the knowledge for centuries. Today the written word takes precedence, but this evening, we will communicate our emotions, or experiences as they did before us. We’ll take you on a journey from Suriname, a taste of Africa and all the way across the islands of Maluku, Cape Verde, Aruba, Curaçao and the Dominican Republic. Our goal is to create a domino effect of knowledge across cultures to break free from the systems of divide and conquer. Come share with us, come feel with us, come stand in your light with us. The fight against racism starts with us, standing up, unapologetically holding and sharing space for and with each other.
The DomiKnow was created by Lorraine Siwabessy, a.k.a. spoken word artist Cameleon.
More about the performers
Cameleon is a spoken word artist that takes you on a journey, she’s a storyteller with impeccable cadence and timing. Reacquainted with her Maluku roots she seeks and speaks truths to connect the dots between past, present and future.
July (Melanintravalista) is a powerhouse Curaçao rooted female that is crushing it as a Zuidas professional ánd a social media influencer. She empowers people as a natural way of being. This W.A.R. she’ll be your host guiding you through the layers of our artists emotions.
Jane Ortet’s roots are in Cape Verde and she has a passion for black history. “Ik breek de systemen door antwoord te geven op de vragen die er zijn over de Afrikaanse geschiedenis. Met die informatie kunnen wij het incorrecte beeld van Afrika doorbreken en de erfenis van het koloniaal verleden beter begrijpen.’
John Keys (and The Keys Collective) is a band of amazing musicians that without any effort tune into the lead singer or spoken word artist on stage. They are true catalyzers, amplifying the emotion and feel of the words being shared by our singers and speakers.
Juan & Jetje (GEEL and Ariëne Sillié) are a Rotterdam powerhouse couple that will bring you musical vibes from the islands of Aruba, Curaçao and The Dominican Republic. Teachers and coaches by day, true artists by night and 100% supporters of spreading the love 24/7.
Niives & Joanne Sanders are two Maluku cousins bringing both joy and recognition to your senses with their music. He’s saucy on the guitar, she’s quiet, calm, even shy… Well, until she opens up her vocals to take you on a journey through her soul.
Ilidia Medina expresses her emotions through dance and spoken word, while embarking on a journey through the many layers of her Cape Verdian heritage.
The dynamic, sparkling and endlessly energized Avalon Brown expresses her heritage through movement. She’s is the creative leader of AfroMixChicks and together with Eline, Jasper and Amir, they will take you to Africa with live percussion and explosive dance moves.
Celine Dewy is free soul, roaming the earth, Indonesian blood and closely connected to the earth’s spirit. Celine will take you to the East with her spiritual dance moves as she’ll let the sounds carry her.
Keanu is a naturally gifted spoken word artist. Head in the clouds, soul on display, they will tell you all about a Surinam person born and raised in The Netherlands.
Take a look back at our past collaborations with the Domiknow:
Decolonise and Unite! during the Week Tegen Racisme 2024
For the Week Against Racism 2024, The DomiKnow presented an evening of spoken word, rap and dance performed by artists from communities that have a connection to colonisation and/or slavery. Each performer will share their own narrative, from their own perspective, as they unite on one stage.
Artists from Maluku, Curaçao, Suriname, Cape Verde and Congo, will represent their cultures while also supporting each other. Let’s break the systems of colonisation and ‘divide and rule’ by standing together!
The DomiKnow’s Freshest Talents
In November 2024, The DomiKnow teamed up with Pakhuis de Zwijger and NiNsee to present The Domiknow’s Freshest Talents.
This event featured spoken word, rap, and storytelling, with artists representing cultures from Maluku, Curaçao, Suriname, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, the US, and beyond.
