It all starts with a conversation.
[ About ]
Nakamou is a creative platform growing out of life in Senegal. Stories and projects, made together.
[ Hello in Wolof ]
Nakamou?[ Hello, how are you? ]Nice.[ The usual response, and one of the few English words used in Wolof ]
[ The name ]
Nakamou is how you say hello in Wolof. It was one of the first words I learned in Senegal, so I said it to everyone. A hello turned into a conversation, a conversation into a friendship, and a friendship into projects I never planned. Nakamou is what grows out of them: the stories, and the projects.
People with passion, and stories worth hearing.
Nakamou is for the heroes you haven’t heard of yet.
I believe in making things together: telling stories with the people who live them, and giving their ideas the space and support to grow into projects with real impact.
And I want that work to keep the joy that brought us together, in friendships that outlast any single project.
[ Who’s talking ]
Hi, I’m Niklas (22).
Born in the Netherlands, raised in Zurich. I came to Senegal in April 2024 for a surf trip and kept coming back. Over four stays, about ten months in total, I’ve been learning Wolof, working alongside Modou Fall, “L’Homme Plastique”, and training at a local wrestling school.
What moves me is the passion people put into what they do. Photography and film are how I show it, but I want to do more than tell stories. Nakamou is where I bring those people together and see what we can build. I also want it to form a connection between Senegal and Switzerland.
I love Senegal: the culture, the food, the fashion and, most of all, the people. In 2027, I’m planning to move to Dakar.
Every hello is a story.
[ So far ]
What it has led to.
21k → 53kTikTok followers for @lhomme.plastique since we started working together
1M+views on one TikTok video
One step at a time.
[ Funding ]
In total I raised
CHF7,358
All of it goes towards the projects and the people doing the work, never for my own equipment, travel or expenses.
- Roof of the Adiana Bambou SchoolJean Bambou’s free bamboo school in southern Senegal.2,294
- Public space in GuédiawayeModou Fall’s community garden near Dakar.2,976
- CanteenFreezer and equipment to sell homemade juices and produce.772
- Renovation of the public spacePaint, repairs and more tire chairs.837
- Environmental schoolNew roof and bigger space.715
- Organic vegetable gardenNew irrigation system and expansion of the garden.652
- Tour du Sénégal 2100 km on foot through the south of Senegal.1,273
- Events and school visitsCommunity events, panels, and school visits where we plant trees and donate equipment.500
- Platform and transaction fees315
The money was spent step by step, as the projects grew. Want the details? Ask me about any of the numbers. I’m happy to share.
If you want to be part of what comes next, the fundraiser is still open.
[ Side by side ]
Friends all the way.
[ Where we’re going ]
What comes next.
- Nakamou becomes a registered association in Switzerland.
- A YouTube channel with documentary stories and short films.
- L’Homme Plastique: equipment for school visits, a partner for the garden, a visit to Europe.
- Adiana Bambou School: equipped and running.
- Laamb: a film series from inside the wrestling school.
- Nakamou clothing, made with local tailors.
[ Get involved ]
Say nakamou.
Nakamou grows through people who believe in it.
- Support a project. Donate here, and see where the money goes.
- Sponsor or supply events, materials or equipment.
- Collaborate with us as an artist, maker or organisation.
- Share the stories, or introduce us to someone.
