On 1 July 1863 slavery was abolished in Suriname and the other former Dutch territories. On that day people who did not own their own lives — who were only the property of someone else — finally became free. In Sranantongo (a language of Suriname) that day is called Keti Koti, meaning 'broken chains'.
Behind that single day, however, lies a story of hundreds of years: from Africa across the ocean to Suriname, of plantations, resistance, freedom and remembrance.
Exercises with model answers
1. What does "Keti Koti" mean in Sranantongo?
Broken chains — a symbol of freedom.
2. In what year was slavery abolished in Suriname?
1863 — but many people were forced to keep working another 10 years under "state supervision".
3. From which continent were most people shipped to Suriname?
Africa — mainly West Africa (today's Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Angola).
4. Write down one thing you find important about freedom.
Own answer. Discuss in class.
5. On surinameglobalgroup.com you can find 477 plantations. Discuss together: why does it matter that we know their names?
Own answer. Suggestion: people worked and died on those plantations, and their descendants still carry those family names today.
⭐ Follow-up activity
Activity: with the class make a 'chain-breaker' poster. Every child writes on a paper link something they do not wish ever to exist again (for example 'bullying', 'war', 'discrimination'). Glue all links into a chain and symbolically break it on 1 July.
Discussion prompts
What does freedom mean to you personally — and what did it mean in 1863?
Which words do we use today ("slave" vs "enslaved person") and why does word choice matter?
Do you know a monument or commemoration in your country related to this history?
Which family names in your class/community might come from Suriname?
Differentiation
Faster pupils: have them compare 2 plantations instead of 1.
Pupils who need more support: pair work, or pre-select the plantation for them.
Pupils with personal ties to Suriname: invite them to share — but never require it.
Sensitive content — handle with care
This lesson touches on slavery, racism and dehumanisation. Use the term "enslaved person" rather than "slave". Acknowledge that some pupils may have personal/family ties to this history. Invite, never require, them to share. Allow space for emotion and have a follow-up plan if pupils need to talk afterwards.