Between Worlds: Community, Belief & Belonging
About this Event
AABO Collective x Rooted Routes
Inspired by The River Between by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Between Worlds: Community, Belief & Belonging is an intimate community gathering exploring what it means to navigate identity, belonging, and connection in a world that often asks us to choose between different parts of ourselves.
In The River Between, a Kenyan community becomes divided as Christianity and traditional Kikuyu beliefs collide under colonial influence. While the story is set in a specific historical moment, its themes remain deeply relevant today. Many of us continue to live between worlds; between cultures, between tradition and self-expression, between who we are and who we are expected to be.
Together, we will explore questions such as:
- What holds a community together, and what pulls it apart?
- What does it mean to truly belong?
- How do we navigate spaces where different parts of our identity feel in conflict?
- What responsibility do we carry in building the communities we say we need?
This is not a lecture or academic discussion. It is a facilitated conversation rooted in lived experience, curiosity, and collective reflection. Whether you have read the book or not, you are warmly welcome to join!
Throughout the afternoon, we will engage with discussion prompts, reflective questions, and shared dialogue centred around themes of identity, care, responsibility, and belonging.
As the gathering comes to a close, we will move into a collective planting ritual. Each participant will be invited to paint a small pot and plant a seed while reflecting on an intention connected to community, growth, and the future they wish to help cultivate. Inspired by the values at the heart of rooted routes, this ritual offers a quiet moment to consider what we want to nurture within ourselves and within the communities we are part of.
This event also marks the introduction of Rooted Routes’ community outreach initiative in Konza, Kenya. We will share an emerging vision for building meaningful connections between communities and invite attendees to contribute ideas, reflections, and interest in helping shape what comes next.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PMLocation: CAYA, Herengracht 178, Amsterdam
Program
2:00 PM – 2:40 PMArrival, music, drinks & mingling
2:40 PM – 4:40 PMFacilitated community conversation inspired by The River Between
4:40 PM – 6:00 PMPlanting intentions, community reflection, open dialogue & connection
Who Is This For?
This gathering is open to anyone interested in:
- Community building
- Identity and belonging
- Diaspora experiences
- Queer and intersectional perspectives
- Literature and storytelling
- Collective care and social impact
- Meaningful conversation and connection
Spaces are limited to maintain an intimate atmosphere. Please reserve your spot in advance!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
EUR 0.00
