Rediscovering African Heritage
DMTE is not just a travel initiative—it’s a powerful cultural experience. Created by WeDiasporan, it offers a unique opportunity to reconnect African diasporans with the heart of their heritage. This initiative links individuals with the rich legacies of their ancestors, providing an immersive journey into the African story.
Celebrating Identity and Connections
DMTE goes beyond tourism. It’s about rediscovering Africa’s past, celebrating its diverse identity, and building lasting connections between African communities worldwide. By encouraging diasporans to explore their roots, DMTE fosters an understanding of the profound cultural and historical ties that link Africa to its people across the globe.
A Journey Beyond Just Travel
For those eager to explore the depth of African and diaspora culture, DMTE offers more than just a trip. It’s a reconnection with history, culture, and identity that transcends borders. It invites participants to engage in a journey that strengthens their sense of belonging, while celebrating the interconnectedness of the global African village.
Origin of Project DMTE
With over 10 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry in Verona, Italy, and having engaged with industry leaders through his podcast, The Obehi Podcast, Obehi Ewanfoh, the founder of the Project, recognized the need for a unique platform to celebrate African and diaspora heritage through tourism.
Drawing inspiration from his conversations with experts and his deep passion for cultural exchange, he envisioned a project that would connect people with the rich history and traditions of Africa, leading to the creation of DMTE, an initiative designed to foster meaningful connections and celebrate the diverse legacies of the African diaspora.
Why You Should Care About DMTE
DMTE (Diaspora Memorial & Tourism Exchange) is more than just a travel program—it’s a transformative experience designed to reconnect individuals with their African heritage and identity.
Through this initiative, we harness the power of travel and cultural exchange to empower African diasporans and cultural enthusiasts alike. As the African diaspora grows globally, there is an incredible opportunity to bridge cultures, celebrate history, and foster meaningful connections.
DMTE provides the perfect platform to rediscover the untold stories and hidden histories of African influences in cities worldwide, like Verona, Italy, where the patron saint, “Saint Zeno” is of African descent. DMTE illuminates such powerful connections, allowing us to learn from each other, share our experiences, and celebrate the richness of African culture wherever we are.
The Two Phases of the DMTE Journey
1. Inter-Diaspora Connect
This phase is all about fostering deeper connections among members of the African diaspora. By promoting cross-cultural understanding through cultural tourism exchange, participants engage with one another’s stories, experiences, and histories.
It’s an opportunity to build a global community rooted in shared history, helping diasporans realize how their diverse backgrounds converge through a common heritage.
This phase is about understanding each other’s journeys, promoting unity, and celebrating the collective strength of the diaspora.
2. Diaspora-African Connect
In this phase, individuals reconnect with their ancestral roots by participating in cultural events across Africa. From visiting historical landmarks to engaging with vibrant communities, this immersive experience helps participants forge stronger ties to the continent’s traditions, values, and modern-day evolution.
By stepping into the heart of Africa, participants experience firsthand the beauty, complexity, and resilience of African cultures.
This phase is designed to create lasting bonds between the diaspora and the continent, reinforcing a sense of identity and belonging.
Empowerment Through Heritage
DMTE offers a transformative journey into the heart of African culture, providing participants the opportunity to reconnect with their roots.
This experience is designed for those eager to rediscover their ancestral heritage, gain a deeper understanding of African history, and empower themselves by exploring the global impact of African traditions and influence. It’s more than just a trip—it’s a profound exploration of identity and belonging.
Bridging Cultures Through Exchange
At the core of DMTE is cultural exchange, creating an immersive environment that brings African diasporans back to their ancestral lands while introducing others to the rich diversity of Africa.
Through interactive tours, performances, and shared experiences, the project promotes understanding and strengthens global connections. It encourages dialogue between cultures, fostering appreciation for the historical and contemporary significance of Africa.
The Power of Storytelling
Storytelling is central to the DMTE experience, bringing the journey to life through the voices of history. Whether it’s exploring historic sites in countries like Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria, or South Africa, or participating in traditional music performances and cultural events, each moment highlights an important chapter in the African diaspora’s journey.
Through powerful narratives, the project celebrates African culture, connecting participants with its most meaningful and resonant stories.
Be Part of a Movement
As a Travel Agent: Organize Group Journeys to Africa
DMTE offers a unique opportunity to organize group tours that reconnect African diasporans and heritage seekers with their ancestral roots. With our partnership, you can curate transformative experiences that bridge the gap between cultures and histories.
2. As a Tour Operator or Agency: Welcome Travellers to Africa
DMTE invites you to join our network of partners, hosting travellers from the African diaspora who are eager to reconnect with their heritage. As part of our initiative, you’ll offer culturally immersive tours that highlight Africa’s diverse legacies and rich history.
3. As a Member of the Diaspora: Reconnect with Your African Roots
DMTE provides you with a transformative journey back to Africa. Whether exploring your ancestral homeland or tracing the African influence in global cities, our tours offer a deeply personal and impactful way to rediscover your heritage.
Project Advisers
Rev Gloria Tinu Ogunbadejo
Rev. Gloria Tinu is an ancestral healing coach based in the UK, dedicated to helping spiritually conscious individuals heal generational trauma and reconnect with their roots.
Dr. Negus Rudison-Imhotep
Negus Imhotep is the CEO & Cultural Memory Specialist for Imhotep Consultancy Group, LLC., he is also the Deferred Expulsion Program Manager for Des Moines Public Schools.
Prince Maxwho Obayangbon
My name is Prince Maxwho Obayangbon, and I hail from Africa, specifically Nigeria’s Edo state and the city of Benin, but I currently reside in Italy, in Europe.
Professor Oluwafemi Esan
Professor Oluwafemi Esan holds the distinction of being the founder of El-ROI London University, the first Black privately-owned American University in London.
Mohamed BA
Mohamed BA is a distinguished Senegalese artist, educator, and cultural advocate based in Milan. He is deeply passionate about bridging cultural divides through the powerful mediums of theater and percussion-based music.
Kossi Komla-Ebri
He is a retired medical surgeon and author, best known for winning the first prize for fiction at the third edition of the Eks&Tra competition in 1997 with his story Quando attraverserò il fiume (“When I Cross the River”). Also the and author of Imbarazzismi (EnbarRacements).
Obehi Ewanfoh – Director
Obehi Ewanfoh is the host of the Obehi Podcast, president of WeDiasporan, and founder of AClasses Media, an organization dedicated to providing life-changing educational experiences to individuals around the world, with a special focus on the African diaspora.
In addition to his work as an educator and advocate, Obehi is the author of several books, including Storytelling Mastery, a five-part book series that guides readers through the fundamentals of storytelling.
As a content creator himself, Obehi uses his podcast to support fellow digital entrepreneurs and content creators in harnessing the power of storytelling.
His goal is to help them build their influence and increase their earnings by mastering the art of compelling storytelling in their work.
Alfredo Sambù – Coordinator
Alfredo is a practicing pharmacist in Vicenza, Italy and he is originally from Guinea Bissau. He is strongly passionate about African natural and traditional medicine.
Alfredo Sambù was born on 2 April 1975 in Begene, Cacheu Region of Guinea-Bissau. He completed his early school in Begene, then in Bissau, where he obtained a high school diploma.
He arrived in Italy at the age of 20 and with his Guinean high school diploma not recognized by the Italian school system, he had to repeat two years of high school, and here he obtained the Italian high school diploma.
Alfredo believes in investing his own knowledge, skills, and experiences in his own country of origin, as a way to make a concrete contribution to local development.