Suriname Maroons are the descendants of African slaves of Suriname and French Guiana who ran away from plantation slavery during the 16th and 17th centuries. In running away, the Suriname Maroons formed independent societies and communities within the tropical rain forests. Due to the thick rain forest vegetation and uneven terrains, the Suriname slaves were able to rebel easily and hide in such environments.
In order to achieve recognition within Suriname and New Guiana, Maroon societies had to resort to insurgent behavior. From their engagement in guerrilla warfare against Dutch agriculturalists, to the destruction of many crops and property, the Suriname Maroons were finally taken seriously and peace treaties were established; Ndyuka in 1760, Saramaka in 1762, Matawai in 1767, and Aluku in 1860. Under such established treaties only 5 of the 6 ethnic groups achieved sovereignty within the borders of Suriname. But even so the lone tribe, the Kwinti tribe is still recognized as independent.
Maroons living in tribal societies still account for roughly 11% of the entire Suriname population. The Suriname tribes consist of 6 distinct ethnicities: the Djuka, Saramka, Matawai, Aluku, Paramaka, and Kwinti. The Djuka, Paramaka, and Aluku occupy the eastern region of Suriname and French Guiana alongside the Marowijne River. They communicate in creole, predominantly in an English based creole. The Saramka, Matawai, and Kwinti tribes live in the central region of Suriname, along the northern regions of the Suriname River and Saramaka River. These tribes communicate in creole as well, but predominantly in a Portuguese-based creole.
Bibliography
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Header Image – Suriname by Onbekend (1935)
Gender in Maroon Societies 