Suriname - Where the Heck is That?

When I told people I was going to travel to Suriname, I heard things like, "Where the heck is that, in Asia?", or "I've never heard about Suriname, tell me more", even "Why would you be going to a little country in South America?".  In some ways, I felt the same......Why had I chosen a country that required me to look it up on a map to know it's location?  Well, after spending a week there, I know.

Do you sometimes dream about making a world-trip?

All the different fragrances and sounds, the variation in cultures and people, exotic food and extraordinary natural splendour?  Unfortunately, for most people this remains just another dream.

Not everyone has the time available to just pack up and go somewhere for a year, not to mention the money to do so. A trip to Suriname is however an enjoyable alternative! Because in Suriname you not only still find pristine nature but also various population groups often still living their traditional lifestyle. Here is an appetizer of some Suriname features.

Heritage

Suriname offers a lot of possibilities for cultural tours, thanks to the rich history of the country. A walk through the historical city center Paramaribo is certainly worth your while. The characteristic wooden buildings from the colonial era, in which you will recognize the European architecture, can be found here, but they were modified to locally available materials and tropical conditions. The culmination is the wooden St. Petrus and Paulus Cathedral, a combination of 19th century European style in a traditional Surinamese form. Here, in the largest wooden church of South America, Petrus ‘Peerke’ Donders, declared a saint, lies buried.

From Fort Zeelandia to the Jewish savannah There are monuments of the colonial era all over the place. Fort Zeelandia, for example, named after the residence of Zeeuws admiral Abraham Crijnssen. Once a Dutch fort , now a lovely Surinamese museum with cultural historical displays. The fort is located in the loveliest part of Paramaribo, along the water, where a statue of queen Wilhelmina gazes out over the river. Another lovely fort can be found in Commewijne: The Open air museum ‘New Amsterdam’. This magnificent rebuilt fort offers various sights from the colonial era, but you can also enjoy a pleasant hike, view the exhibits or have a drink. You will not only find signs of the Jewish community at the large synagogue on the Keizerstraat, situated right next to the mosque State, but also specifically in the ‘Jewish savannah’, the 17th century settlement of the Jewish community in Suriname. It was the only location in the Americas where the Jews had their own place of residence, with freedom of religion and personal jurisdiction. The remnants of the buildings and the cemetery are perfectly preserved, and the area is well maintained. A daytrip by boat to the Jewish savannah is a pleasant way of getting to know Suriname history.

Prehistoric rock art

Another unique feature in the region is the ‘caves of Werehpai’ at the indigenous village of Kwamalasamutu on the Brazilian border. Unique rock art was discovered here in the year 2000. The extraordinary images were chiseled out using special stone chisels. Nowhere in the Amazon basin has such a large quantity of rock art been found. And the pottery that was found there, appears to be the oldest material to have been found in Suriname. Its interesting monuments can be seen all over Suriname. Sometimes collected in one of the many museums, such as the Marron Museum in Pikin Slee, in the middle of the jungle. The cultural heritage of the Saramaccaners in particular, are collected here; functional and decorative objects, clothing and ornaments.

Culture

Suriname society is a unique mix of population groups living side by side on a basis of equality. Their cultural expressions largely determine the face of the country. For example, the various prayer houses ensure a colourful appearance of the street front. In the city, mosques, synagogues, churches and mandirs are standing side by side in a unique fashion. Some population groups prefer to dress in their traditional clothing and delicacies from various parts of the world are sold everywhere to the extent that sometimes you may think you are in Africa, than again in India, China or in Indonesia. It is a colourful collection of cultures that live together in Suriname, yet each has retained their cultural traditions. For the visitor it is not only nice to see, but you can also enjoy the different culinary and cultural expressions. The Javanese community that boasts with rich traditions like their ritual dance the ‘Jaran Kepang’, is still regularly performed. You will also experience the annual Holy Phagwa festival of the Hindustanis, the Chinese dragon dance, an old-fashioned Creole Kaseko band and many other cultural expressions almost everywhere in and around Paramaribo.

A large part of the original indigenous Surinamese population is still living in the interior. This is where the various tribes, including the ‘Trio’, ‘Akurio’ and the ‘Wayana’, still live in traditional villages. They still make a living of fishing, hunting and farming here. Another population group in the interior in Suriname, are the Marrons. They are the descendants of the slaves who refused to work on the plantations. There are various tribes, of which the Aucaners, Saramaccaners and Kwinti are the best known. These Marrons have upheld several of their customs originating from Africa quite well. You will see the women doing their wash in the river while the children are playing in the water. The men are busy hunting or making woodcarvings with typical Surinamese-African designs. There are various tour operators organising trips into the interior. You can then enjoy the surrounding area in comfortable resorts, while getting to know the culture of the Marrons or the Indigenous people. Enjoy a ‘Pepre Watra’, the hot soup made from cassava and fish, learn to shoot with a bow and arrow or dance on the stirring beat of the drums.

                                                                Come in please!

Events

All kinds of activities are organized in Suriname, from cultural tinted performances to major events. There are a number of annually recurring activities. As far as music is concerned, there is the Jazz festival, where well known names appear on the program at an ever increasing rate. But the Salsuri salsa event also attracts fans from both locally and abroad. There are film festivals, Miss pageants of the various ethnic groups, the annual Marathon and the National Art Fair.

The four-day Savannah rally is also always a large draw card for the public , with participants from all over the world. The circuit takes you on a ‘Four Wheel Drive’ to places where you would normally never go by car!

Obviously, every population group has its own annual festival. This is usually a national holiday, with festivities on the Square of Independence or in the Palm garden. The day is filled with live music, markets and cultural performances, such as the spectacular Dragon dance on Chinese heydays.

The ‘Four Day Night’, a local event that can best be described as a combination of the Dutch four days festival with aspects of the Brazilian carnival, also has a very special place.

The culmination of it all is the Surifesta festival on New Years Eve, with magnificent fireworks and lots of music. You can enjoy modern night-life every day in one of the many casinos, restaurants or discotheques.

    In short, in Suriname you will find something for everyone !

In Suriname worden allerlei activiteiten georganiseerd, van cultureel getinte optredens tot grootse evenemente