Laura Nsengiyumva

Everyone knows Sinterklaas as an old white man with a white beard and a black helper. But what if Sinterklaas were a Black woman? Meet Queen Nikkolah, aka performer Laura Nsengiyumva, who plays with the boundaries of race and gender.

In December, Queen Nikkolah will be back in Ghent. She will be handing out treats to children, taking time for photos with them, and making it an enjoyable celebration. It’s a fun event for the little ones, while for the adults, it’s a moment to reflect on Western colonial mindsets that continue to uphold many traditions to this day.

In collaboration with the vzw Jong.