"ATLC's roots in Suriname" Top 5 Page for this destination Suriname by ATLC

Suriname Travel Guide: 389 reviews and 964 photos

My birth country! Last visit just after the revolution on Febr. 25th 1980, and 5 years after independance from The Netherlands (1975).
Can you believe this? It's true: In winter 2000 I visited Romania and stayed with Romanian people in their apartment. My host was an engineer and had just returned from six months in India. There he met someone from Suriname who gave him the tshirt that I am wearing on this photo. Because he gave it to me!

Anyway, lots of my family still live in Suriname. Most of the population lives in The Netherlands, including 3 of my sisters, my aunt and her family.

In Suriname live many cultures and races. Chinese, Creole, Hindi, Indonesian, native Indian, Dutch...
All these people speak their own language although everyone also speaks Sranantongo (a peculiar mixture of all those languages) and Dutch.

Suriname was a Dutch colony. At first slaves were brought in from Africa (hence the Creole part of the population). The native Indians withdrew into the inland jungle.
At some point in the late 1800s, workers were needed and the Dutch struck up an accord with the British to bring people from India over to work on the sugar plantations in Suriname (Marienburg). But the Hindu proved to be too much trouble so the Dutch colonists decided to bring over people from Java (Indonesia). The first 94 Javanese set foot in Suriname in August 1890. They were housed and put to work on the Marienburg plantation (see travelogue Books). These people were not slaves but contract workers although there wasn't much difference really.

So unfortunately I cannot fantasize about descending from some Indonesian prince because naturally the poor people signed up for work in Suriname :-) I doubt that any of them had any idea where they were going, let alone that they would never return.

The people of Suriname are an easy going lot. Of course there are cultural and political differences. But mostly the cultures blend. There are many mixed families, even my own. It is surprising that even after more than 100 years, the cultures remain separate with each race keeping their own traditions and religions and yet they blend too into one Surinamese cultural diversity which has also been brought to The Netherlands and is now also firmly embedded in Dutch culture.

My finest memories are of the huge parties these people can throw at the occassion of weddings, christenings or circumcisions or any other reason to celebrate.
Cola-rum is THE drink and the parties go on until early morning. For days the women will be cooking because every guest will get a full meal at any party.

Suriname has the oldest Jewish settlement on the South American continent called Jodensavannah.

There's a huge dam called Afobakka which made many miles of country around unsuitable for living.

Well then, I am no walking & talking guide book. This is what I know by heart and quite enough for the time being :-)

Don't skip the travelogues !

CUTE EH?

ATLC AND BROTHER

My brother (Gerlof) and me (left).
My brother was a native Indian from the original people of Suriname. I am Javanese (which is Indonesian originally). Our age difference was 6 1/2 months.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Cultural diversity, relaxed people, wonderful weather, safe
Cons:Quite poor, not very touristy (this is not a con at all!)
In a nutshell:Very interesting culture and social mix, great natural charm

Last visit to Suriname: Jul 1980
Intro Updated May 11, 2003
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Reviews (27)

FOOD: Sauto soup Local Customs (8)

This is a chicken soup with rice, shredded fried chicken meat, parsley, crunchy fried onion (the kind you put on hot... more travel advice

Sea turtles nests Things to Do (12)

Make a trip to Matapica or Galibi to see the sea-turtles nest. Matapica is located just east of the Suriname river... more travel advice

Jodensavanne (ancient Jewish settlement) - Suriname

Jodensavanne (ancient Jewish settlement) Things to Do (12)

Jodensavanne (Jews’ Savannah) once the blooming centre of Jewish life in Suriname. Photo (taken from website)... more travel advice

FOOD: Bara Local Customs (8)

Bara is a Hindustani snack too. It's a deepfried fritter made of dough spiced with things like cardamom and cumin. Eaten... more travel advice

Travelogues (7)

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Comments (127)

Nemorino Sep 15, 2010 at 2:12 PM Report Abuse

Interesting and sympathetic tips on your old home country! It's funny that two people joined VirtualTourist for the sole purpose of commenting on your outhouse tip. I have just checked their pages and it is true that they have had no activity since then.
iwys Nov 17, 2008 at 11:51 PM Report Abuse

Very interesting page and tips. It seems so different to the rest of South America.
hunterV Nov 13, 2008 at 11:48 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for your description of your warm memories! Good for you, Anke-Thea!
DSwede Sep 30, 2008 at 6:00 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for visiting my pages! You come from a wonderful place! Suriname is a place I must go back to!
goutammitra Aug 4, 2008 at 7:07 PM Report Abuse

It was about the same time labours ( Slaves?) were taken to Suriname, West Indies and Maurititus. people from Bihar/ U P ( The Bhojpuri speaking) went there. They were cheated by the people who took them. Later some of them even became Prime Ministers!
apekovic Feb 2, 2008 at 1:46 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic story of Suriname and your life!
Cruiseone2003 Dec 13, 2007 at 4:53 PM Report Abuse

As a child (late 60's, early 70's) we'd go to my grandparents house in Northern New Mexico, they had an outhouse too, I can't say they were fond memories but it sure made life interesting!
TheWanderingCamel Oct 11, 2007 at 7:44 PM Report Abuse

Must make it to the northern reaches of South America - as spicy a mix of cultures as of the food, just the sort of place I love to travel to. Nice looking back with you. leyle
jivanne96 Sep 25, 2007 at 11:22 AM Report Abuse

Nice knowing your roots!
Hexepatty Sep 25, 2007 at 5:22 AM Report Abuse

Ah yes... I like the sarong for the "plump years" my dear! They are HERE, snicker! ; )