The Vision
H.E.A.L.
Honor the Ancestors
Endow diasporans with the ability to return.
Align with the people and culture of Guinea Bissau
Leave a legacy!
The Mission
At Roots in Guinea Bissau Cultural Tours, we believe that the best opportunities for ancestral healing lies in immersive experiences. It is this belief that inspires our cultural tours, tailored to encourage members of our diaspora family to rediscover, explore, and heal in Guinea-Bissau. Our tours are thoughtfully designed to be all-encompassing, catering to Afro diasporans, regardless of their ethnic lineage. With this mission in mind, our aim is to facilitate the chance to reconnect, learn, nurture, and grow.
Name: Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Capital: Bissau
Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)
Official Language: Portuguese based Krio
Population: 2,026,778 (2022 estimate)
Ethnic Groups: Balanta, Fulani, Mankanya (Brame), Mandinga, Papel Djola, Beafada, unspecified smaller ethnic groups 6% (2015 est.)
Religions: Muslim 46.1%, local traditional religions 30.6%, Christian 18.9%, other or unaffiliated 4.4% (2020 est.)
Flag Description:
Two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; yellow symbolizes the sun; green denotes hope; red represents blood shed during the struggle for independence; the black star stands for African unity
Note: Uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the flag design was heavily influenced by the Ghanaian flag
2025 and 2026
November 11th-18th, 2025
This transformative journey is designed for members of the African Diaspora ready to return to the land of their roots. Our ancestral homecoming tour in Guinea-Bissau invites you to reconnect with your heritage through village visits, cultural ceremonies, and sacred storytelling. From the warm welcome of local communities to the powerful experience of naming rituals, this itinerary is a deeply personal path of remembrance, healing, and belonging. Come home to where your story began.
February 12th-19th, 2026
Join us in Guinea-Bissau for Carnival—an electrifying celebration of African identity, resilience, and rhythm. This powerful journey invites you to witness one of West Africa’s most vibrant cultural festivals. Dance through the streets of Bissau, experience ancestral traditions in surrounding villages, and connect with your roots through music, art, and spirit. This is more than a festival—it’s a reconnection with your heritage in the land of your ancestors.
May 8th-15th, 2026
Step into the heart of West Africa and experience The Gambia through the lens of ancestral reconnection. Designed with the diaspora in mind, this powerful itinerary offers more than travel—it’s a homecoming. Explore traditional villages, engage with local communities, and unwind along the peaceful Atlantic coast. From storytelling to spiritual reflection, each moment is an opportunity to rediscover your roots, embrace your heritage, and walk the land of your ancestors with pride.
$25 for up to 1 hour
Begin your journey with our exclusive private tour consultation. Here, your questions find a voice, and personalized attention transforms into expert guidance, ensuring a seamless experience as you navigate the intricacies of booking your private tour. Let us be your trusted companion in crafting a tailor-made experience that goes beyond expectations.
During your 1-hour video Zoom call, we'll tailor your private tour to meet your specific desires and address all your inquiries. Your call will include your customized tour itinerary and pricing details. Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions!
Ready to book your private tour consultation call? Please click the button below to begin!
$400
This trip is specifically designed for individuals approved for citizenship by the Guinea-Bissau government, offering personalized assistance from Mario, Yama, and Sufri. They will guide you through the process of securing your documents in Bissau while also providing support with accommodations, transportation, and navigating the city and its surroundings. Please note that airfare, visa entry, hotel, transportation, and meal expenses are not included in the package and remain your responsibility.
This assistance is specifically for the individuals who have been approved for citizenship by the Guinea-Bissau government ONLY!
$50-100
Are you a travel agency interested in partnering with Roots in Guinea-Bissau Cultural Tours? Begin the process by completing our intake form and selecting one of our consultation packages. These options are designed to support agencies at different stages of planning and interest.
Navigate our website seamlessly with the assistance of these engaging visuals, providing insights into our itinerary page, tour registration, payment options, and much more. Your reconnection journey begins here – where culture comes alive!
View the videos below to help guide you through navigating our website, tour registration and much more!
Navigating the Roots in Guinea Bissau Cultural Tours Website
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Returning to the land of your ancestors is more than a trip — it’s a spiritual homecoming. We understand the deep emotions and questions that can arise on this sacred journey. This FAQ section is here to offer clarity and comfort as you prepare to walk the ancestral paths of Guinea-Bissau, reconnect with your roots, and honor the legacy within you.
Click below to read more!
Roots in Guinea Bissau Cultural Tours was born out of a profound desire to offer a meaningful opportunity for Africans in the Diaspora to reclaim their heritage and reconnect with their roots. In collaboration with BAN-FAABA, a registered NGO dedicated to assisting Africans in the diaspora with their return to Guinea- Bissau, we have tirelessly worked to create a remarkable cultural tour experience that transcends tribal or ethnic boundaries.
With unwavering determination and a modest budget, we proudly present a cultural tour that unites us all with our ancestral homeland, regardless of our specific tribe or ethnic background. We firmly believe that every individual, regardless of their lineage, should have the chance to learn, grow, and explore their roots!
Owner
Roots in Guinea Bissau Cultural Tours
Nicole's journey began in 2010 when she took African Ancestry's maternal DNA test, revealing her ancestral ties to the Balanta and Fula tribes in present-day Guinea-Bissau. Despite the challenges of traveling from the United States to this distant land, Nicole's unwavering determination led her to finally fulfill her long-awaited dream in 2021. This transformative visit ignited a powerful aspiration within her to enable others in the diaspora to embark on their own journey of reconnection to Guinea Bissau.
With over 9 years of experience in Wedding and Event planning, Nicole expertly utilized her skills and passion to create Roots in Guinea-Bissau Cultural Tours. Her profound understanding of the importance of cultural heritage coupled with her dedication to providing exceptional experiences has shaped the foundation of this venture. Through Roots in Guinea-Bissau Cultural Tours, Nicole aspires to offer a bridge between the diaspora and their ancestral homeland, allowing others to forge their own meaningful connections and foster personal growth.
Ethnicity: Balanta and Fula (maternal)
Language: English
Lead Tour Operator and President of BAN-FAABA
Roots in Guinea Bissau Cultural Tours
In 2014, Mario took on the pioneering role of serving as the primary contact for Afro-diasporans seeking to return to their ancestral home of Guinea-Bissau. As he hosted numerous returnees, it became evident that there was a growing need for an organization to facilitate and nurture these profound reunions. Thus, BAN-FAABA - Door of Return came into existence.
BAN-FAABA was established with the purpose of creating a seamless pathway for descendants of Guinea-Bissau from all corners of the globe to come together once again. Recognized as the leading organization in Bissau for those yearning for a return, reconnection, or even repatriation, BAN-FAABA has become an essential resource.
Under Mario's guidance, BAN-FAABA has proudly organized and hosted numerous group tours, providing an opportunity for individuals to experience the joy and fulfillment of rediscovering their roots within the embracing land of Guinea-Bissau. Mario eagerly awaits the privilege of extending a warm and heartfelt welcome to you, as you embark on this deeply personal journey back home
Ethnicity: Balanta and Papel
Languages: English, Portuguese Krio, Krassa, Mandinka, Wolof
Tour Guide and Secretary of the Council of Ministers
Roots in Guinea Bissau Cultural Tours
Yama brings an impressive background in the hotel and hospitality industry, where she has honed her skills over the course of six dynamic years at the esteemed Ledger Hotel in Bissau. Additionally, she has contributed her expertise as a secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, demonstrating her commitment to the cultural fabric of Guinea-Bissau.
Meanwhile, Yama is currently serving in the esteemed position of secretary of the Council of Ministers, highlighting her exceptional administrative capabilities and dedication to public service. Her previous involvement in hosting group tours further attests to her proficiency in facilitating memorable experiences for visitors.
Yama is excited to extend her support and expertise to assist you on your journey of returning home to Guinea- Bissau. Her combined experience and passion make her an invaluable ally in navigating the intricacies of your ancestral connection and ensuring a fulfilling and enriching experience.
Ethnicity: Beafada
Languages: Portugues Krio, English
Tour Guide and Vice President of BAN-FAABA
Roots in Guinea Bissau Cultural Tours
Peter is a highly accomplished individual with a degree in Education Sciences and a completed course in tourism from the Saint John Bosco Polytechnic Institute in Guinea Bissau.
In addition to his educational background, Peter has attained several notable achievements. In 2021, he served as the Secretary of the organizing committee for the I-Edition of the cultural festival of the Association of Children, Descendants, and friends of Bissum-Naga- ASFDESA-BN.
Furthermore, he held the position of Vice-Chairman of the Audit Board of the Swimming Federation of Guinea-Bissau in the same year. From 2016 to 2020, Peter served as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Academic Association of the Catholic University of Guinea-Bissau.
Peter is eager to welcome everyone home to Guinea Bissau.
Ethnicity: Balanta
Languages: Krassa, Portuguese Krio, and English
"Rarely does a gift change a person's life. But an experience can change a person's perspective. Together we can change Guinea-Bissau for the better by having an open mind and respect for the culture, language, and traditions while we learn and reconnect to our tribes and ancestral homeland".
~ Nicole "Winhaba" Vaden
Email address:
info@rigbculturaltours.com
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