Marian Markelo is a nursing teacher and a Winti priestess. The literal meaning of Winti is wind, and Marian Markelo describes Winti as ‘a philosophical and religious expression from Suriname that originated during slavery.’ There are many different wintis or nature spirits. Markelo is actively involved in spreading her knowledge about Winti. She gives lectures, teaches classes, and organises festivities in honour of various wintis. In 2002, Markelo performed the official consecration of the national Slavery monument in Oosterpark, Amsterdam, by artist Edwin de Vries and before the current King and Queen of the Netherlands. She also led the ‘Kabra Mask’ project which involved the restitution of an African ceremonial mask from within the endangered collection of the Africa Museum in Berg en Dal, now part of the Museum of World Cultures.