Marian Markelo

Marian Markelo aka Nana Efua (Moengo - Suriname, 1956) Marian Markelo is a winti-priestess. She started her training at the age of 23, which continues to this day. Marian learned about rituals, herbs, dealing with Winti-gods and ancestral spirits. The winti-priestess also shares her knowledge to others. Marian Markelo gives coaching, guidance, training and lectures on the heritage and the winti traditions in the Netherlands, Suriname and West Africa. Since 2002, she performs the libation for the ancestors at the National Monument of the Slavery Past in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam which with she opens the annual national commemoration of the abolishment of slavery by the Dutch government. In 2013 she was ambassador for education and spirituality for the NiNsee National Institute Dutch Slavery History and Heritage, of which she is a board member.

Marian Markelo was a teacher of nursing at the Regional Training Center (ROC Mondriaan) until her retirement February 2021. In 2021 Marian Markelo is initiator and co-founder of the Winti institute NIRASԐ. The main objective of NIRASԐ is the rehabilitation and repair of the negative image of Winti, which was knowingly created by the Christian Church and the colonial government of the Netherlands. Together with visual artist Boris van Berkum, Marian Markelo collaborates in the development and presentation of a contemporary collection of winti art and design. She is the commissioner of the ABAN winti art collection designed by artist Boris van Berkum; through the years Marian Markelo became the muse of artist Boris van Berkum.