Suriname is the middle one of the three Guyanas, situated on the South American continent, to the right of Venezuela. One can travel to Brazil or Venezuela by road from George Town. So in this respect, Suriname is like part of an island or peninsula. Also the cultural diversity of its population shows a similarity with the Caribbean region, rather than with Latin America. The population is about equal parts Creole (African descendants) and Hindus. The Creoles live mainly in Paramaribo and other towns, while most Hindus are small farmers.
The English established sugar and tobacco plantations on the West Bank of the Suriname River around 1650 and founded the settlement now known as Paramaribo. Two decades later, the Dutch took possession in one of the silliest property deals ever transacted, by swapping New Amsterdam (present-day New York) for the English territory in Suriname. To expand their plantations, the Dutch imported West African slaves. From the mid-18th century, escaped slaves formed Maroon (Bush Negro) settlements in the interior, and retained many African customs. The abolition of slavery led to labour shortages in the early 19th century, and indentured labourers were brought in from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), India, China, Portugal and Lebanon.
The larger part of the Surinamese population is descended from immigrants who came from three different continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. Because of that fact, the Surinamese people speak many different languages: Dutch (language of the colonists from The Netherlands), Sranan (creole language), Sarnami Hindi (language descended of Hindi from India), Javanese (from Indonesia), Chinese (from China) and Maroon and American Indian languages. Dutch is the official language of Suriname. It is used at the schools and by the government. However in everyday situations Surinamese will often use Sranan.
Sranan is a language that emerged as communication language between European immigrants, African immigrants and the native Indians. It contains elements from English, Portugese, Dutch, and influences from African and Indian languages.
Since its independence in 1975, a majority of people of Indian origin has now settled in the Netherlands but since we were so cut off from the mother country for over 150 years we have lost touch with India. For us India is what we see in the Indian films, but when some of us visit India we get a cultural shock.
Surinam’s capital Paramaribo is a curious hybrid of northern Europe and tropical America. Imposing brick buildings overlook grassy squares and wooden houses crowd narrow streets, but towering palms shade some areas and mangroves still hug the riverside. Mosques and synagogues sit side by side, while Javanese vendors peddle sate and Dutch-speaking Creoles guzzle beer at sidewalk cafés. Central Paramaribo’s focus is the Onafhankelijksplein (Unity Square), fronting the Presidential Palace. Immediately behind the palace is the Palmentuin, an attractive park with tall palms inhabited by tropical birds. To the east is Fort Zeelandia, a 17-century riverside fortification used for the detention and torture of political prisoners after the coup of 1980. The main market is found on the riverside boulevard, Waterkrant, and ferries for Meerzog, on the other side of the river, leave from nearby.
Brownsberg Nature Park comprises an area of montane tropical rainforest overlooking one of the world’s largest reservoirs, the W J van Blommestein Meer, about one and half-hours from Paramaribo by car.
The most important attractions are The Hindu New Year’s festival, Holi Phagwah, held in March or April, and the Muslim holiday Id ul fitr.