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THE AMERINDIANS OF SURINAME
   
  • Conservation International in Suriname, from the Internet Archive: Excerpt—“ CI is working in the South American nations of Suriname and Guyana, where the northern reaches of the Amazon Basin still exist as uninterrupted expanses of tropical forest. Low population density and shifting political fortunes have combined in a way that has, until very recently, minimized the environmental threats to these forests. In Suriname, CI is working to promote biodiversity conservation through the rehabilitation of the existing protected area system, and the development of economically viable market alternatives such as non-timber forest products and ecotourism. CI is also providing training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for use in regional planning, and promoting environmental education and public awareness programs….”

  • Indigenous Art Products from Suriname (1): “Real Surinamese Indigenous cotton hammocks, cloth, jewelry, pottery, traditional musical instruments like the karawasi, maraka or sambura…Order your Indigenous full dress…”

  • Indigenous Art Products from Suriname (2): Examples of products for sale—travel bag (warimbo); maraca; womans dress; ingi pipa cigars; fan; ceramics; mutete (back pack); ceramics;purses; hammocks; earrings.

  • Tribal Communities of Suriname: this site includes information on the history, geographic distribution, living conditions and the culture of Amerindians in Suriname.

  • ETHNOLOGUE: SURINAME --- i.e, "AKURIO (AKOERIO, AKURI, AKURIJO, AKURIYO, AKULIYO, WAMA, WAYARICURI, OYARICOULET, TRIOMETESEM, TRIOMETESEN) [AKO] 40 to 50 (1977 WT). Southeast jungle. Carib, Northern, East-West Guiana, Wama. Related to, but not inherently intelligible with, Trió. All but one group is living with the Trió, becoming bilingual in Trió. Contacted in 1969. Dialects or related languages: Urukuyana, Kumayena. Nearly extinct".

  • The Tropical Rainforest in Suriname--A virtual tour through the rainforest in Suriname (SA). Read about plants, animals, Indians and Maroons. Click on the links to look at the photos and listen to the sounds.

  • FOREST PEOPLES PROGRAMME Information Update, 2 May 1997, Indigenous Community in Suriname Demands that Mining Companies Leave its Territory: The Indigenous community of Kwamalasemutu in Suriname has demanded for the second time this year that mining companies leave its land and that its rights to own and control those lands be recognized and respected. Kwamalasemutu is a Trio community of approximately 1500 persons located in the far South of the Suriname rainforest near the border with Brazil. The latest cause for complaint involves the granting of a gold and diamond concession to Surinamese company, Margo Mining. The community was not consulted or informed about the decision to grant the concession.

  • Movement for Eco-Tourism in Suriname, Other Tours: Galibi - Christiaankondre Tour—“Christiaankondre and Langamankondre are two traditional Amerindian villages, located next to each other along the Marowijne river at the estuary of the Atlantic Ocean. Both villages are located at an extensive sandy beach on which you can enjoy long walks. These villages were set up in the post-slavery times and have expanded into rather large Amerindian villages with a population of approximately 750 inhabitants…”

  • PAWANA (Suriname): “Pawana wenst iedereen een vrolijk kerst en een gelukkig nieuw jaar…. Op deze site kunt u informatie bekijken en beluisteren over PAWANA dé band voor traditionele Indiaanse en kawina muziek in Nederland”—agenda, music, photos, biography, contact information.

  • Sun and Forest Tours, Suriname: Palumeu Tours— “Palumeu jungle-resort, near an Amerindian village bearing the same name, lies at the Upper Tapanahony river in the midst of the Amazon rainforest….The Amerindians live a reserved life and are not very prone to communication with others. The century old lifestyle and the language barrier inhibits their contact with most foreigners. Because of this they are often shy and only after several days will they attempt communication.”

  • Yumtzilob—website over de Amerika's: a Dutch site [in English] featuring articles, books, poetry, book reviews, archaeological reviews on North, Central, and South American indigenous populations.

  • Subject-- The Amerindians, from Suriname.Nu: “An estimated 10000 Amerindians live in their small communities in Suriname. Only a few have had elementary education and reached the middle class of society. Typical occupations have been civil servant, policeman, teacher, nurse, supervisor etc. They are not engaged in trade.”. From: Suriname, Land of Seven Peoples, Prof. Dr. F.E.M. Mitrasing, H. vd Boomen, Paramaribo, 1979

  • Subject-- Musical Instruments, The Amerindians, from Suriname.Nu: “P.J. Benoit describes how Amerindians use flutes at their 'wild' dance parties. These flutes are made of reeds in which they have made holes. They blow on their flutes to produce sound. Once in a while the music is accompanied by the sound of a tambourine and a sharp sound of a kind of trumpet. This trumpet is four to five feet long. At the end of the trumpet is an ox horn attached. According to Benoit, the sound of the musical instruments, the shouting and yelling blends well with the kind of dance that is performed by them”. From: [1] Reis Door Suriname, P.J. Benoit with Chris Schriks and Dr. S.W. De Groot, De Walburg Pers, Zutphen, 1980. ISBN: 906011.306.3 Reprinted at SURALCO request. [2] Avonturen aan de Wilde Kust, Albert Helman, VACO, Paramaribo, 1982. ISBN 9991400087

  • Subject-- Archeology, The Amerindians, from Suriname.Nu: “It was not until 3000 BC before the first indians appeared on the coast of the Guyanas. Those indians who arrived between 3000-2000 BC are often called Meso-Indians. Those after 2000 BC are given the name of Neo-Indians. However it is difficult to establish an exact determination of which term to use. The more recent tribes are first the Arawak tribes as they arrived 3000 years ago. A second tribe were the Carai…”. From: Avonturen aan de Wilde Kust, Albert Helman, VACO, Paramaribo, 1982. ISBN 9991400087. This book has numerous photographs of Amerindian artifacts, bowl/pottery fragments

This page was last updated: Sunday, 18 May, 2003
Thanks to CAC Editor Gerard Collomb for his many recommended additions.