geschiedenis
(5 articles)
The history of the Jewish community in Suriname
Nearly four centuries of Jewish history in Suriname: from Sephardic refugees and the unique autonomous settlement of Jodensavanne (UNESCO World Heritage since 2023), through plantations, slavery and the Eurafrican Jews, to today's Neve Shalom synagogue standing beside a mosque — a worldwide symbol of Surinamese tolerance.
12 May 2026
From Contract Worker to Shopkeeper: 170 Years of Chinese Entrepreneurship in Suriname
Since the first contract workers arrived in Paramaribo in 1853, Chinese Surinamese have shaped the streetscape from the corner shop to import-export. A story of hard work, family networks, two migration waves and a community that has profoundly shaped the Surinamese economy.
11 May 2026
From Java to Suriname: The Long Road of the Javanese Community
Between 1890 and 1939, nearly 33,000 Javanese left the Dutch East Indies for Suriname as contract workers — often misled, sometimes abducted. They brought gamelan, wajang, saoto and nasi, and built a community that today makes up nearly 14% of Suriname’s population. This is the story of their journey, their pain and their resilience.
11 May 2026
The History of the Maroons in Suriname: Resistance, Freedom and Cultural Heritage
Discover the heroic story of the Maroons: enslaved Africans who escaped and established free communities deep in the Surinamese rainforest that continue to this day.
20 Apr 2026
Keti Koti: Commemorating the Abolition of Slavery and the Path to Healing
On July 1st, Suriname celebrates Keti Koti — the breaking of chains. About the significance of this day, the Dutch slavery apology, and the importance of commemoration.
20 Apr 2026