Discovering Madrid's Overlooked Black History Through Walking Tours

In Madrid, innovative walking tours are shedding light on a crucial aspect of the city’s past often omitted from historical narratives: its Black heritage. These excursions delve into the African roots, the repercussions of slavery, and the colonial impact on Spain, subjects that tend to be overlooked in educational settings.

Kwame Ondo, the visionary behind AfroIberica Tours, introduced these specialized tours in 2022. Growing up in Spain, Ondo recognized the lack of representation of Black individuals in historical texts and felt compelled to uncover the country’s obscured narrative. “Clearly, as you begin to investigate, you realize it’s a silenced history that’s been buried,” he reflected. His lineage traces back to Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish territory that gained independence in 1968.

AfroIberica Tours primarily attracts international visitors, notably Black Americans keen on exploring the hidden contributions of African influence throughout Spain. The walks guide participants past significant monuments, statues, and streets, unveiling the roles played by African and Afro-descendant individuals in shaping the city across generations.

Historian Antumi Toasije, teaching at New York University’s Madrid location, points out that the Spanish education system largely overlooks the legacy of Africans in the nation. “It’s as if they had never existed, a narrative that began only in the late 20th century after Spain entered the European Union,” he remarked, underscoring the ignorance surrounding Spain’s colonial and slavery legacies.

A further initiative, Madrid Negro – or “Black Madrid” – approaches these themes through an activist lens. This collective connects Spain’s economic rise to the legacy of slavery and conducts tours aimed at informing participants about this obscured history. On these outings, groups place commemorative stickers on buildings, share readings of Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” and light candles in memory of historical Black figures like Antonio Solis, who supported impoverished Black families with funeral expenses.

For the members of Madrid Negro, their mission resonates on a personal level. Irene Marine, who has Haitian roots, expressed: “My Afro-descendant identity feels this invisibility deeply. Simultaneously, my identity as a Spanish resident prompts me to question: ‘Why wasn’t I aware or educated about this?’”

These walking tours are part of a larger European initiative aimed at confronting and acknowledging the colonial and slavery histories that have long been neglected. By illuminating the stories and contributions of Afro-descendant communities, they aspire to rectify historical oversights, inform the public, and honor a heritage often forgotten.

Madrid’s walking tours not only provide an educational opportunity but also serve as a testament to the fact that history is more intricate and layered than what standard textbooks frequently portray. They motivate both residents and visitors to connect with the city's past, nurturing awareness, compassion, and a deeper appreciation of Spain’s African legacy.