The History Of Suriname Country
A Brief History of Suriname: Suriname (Suriname in Dutch) or Republic of Suriname was formerly known as Dutch Guiana. The land was occupied by The Spanish, French and English, and was a Dutch colony for three centuries. Finally, it achieved its independence in 1975.
A Short History of Surinam (Suriname)
- Suriname Total Area: 1,63,820 km²
- Suriname Population : 596,791
- Suriname Capital: Paramaribo
- Suriname Language : Dutch
- Suriname Continent : South America
Religion in Suriname
Religious history of Suriname:
| Religion | Number of followers | Percentage of total population |
|---|---|---|
| Christianity | 307,940 | 51.6 % |
| Hinduism | 118,163 | 19.8 % |
| Islam | 90,711 | 15.2 % |
| Religiously Unaffiliated | 32,226 | 5.4 % |
| Folk or traditional religions | 31,629 | 5.3 % |
| Other | 11,339 | 1.9 % |
| Buddhism | 3,581 | 0.6 % |
| Judaism | 1,194 | 0.2 % |
Origin of Suriname
The History of Suriname: Suriname is a quadrilateral-shaped territory bordered to the north by the Atlantic and to the south by the lands of Brazil. While the Corantijn rivers to the west, and Marowijne to the east, form natural boundaries with Guyana and French Guiana, respectively.
The first cultures that inhabited Suriname did so in what is now known as Sipaliwini. Archaeological remains of the Upper Paleolithic have been found made of stone such as: axes, arrows and knives.
Already in the fourteenth century, the Arawaks were established around the Orinoco Delta. There they developed various methods of cultivation and built certain constructions.
A little later, the Caribs arrived and defeated the Arawaks. From then on these two were the largest tribes in the region. The enmity of Arawaks and Caribs remained until the arrival of the Europeans.
Discovery Of Suriname
Christopher Columbus first sighted Suriname in 1498. But it was not until 1593 that the Spanish explorers returned to the already called Suriname. This name is due to the fact that one of the peoples that inhabited it was the Surinen people.
During the early seventeenth century the Spanish, British, French and Dutch tried unsuccessfully to occupy the place. The settlers met with strong and unexpected resistance from the natives. Although finally, in 1651 the English achieved victory.
Who Colonized Suriname?
Colonial Period: After the initial explorations, in 1651 the English colonists, led by the British Francis Willoughby were the first Europeans to settle in Suriname. There they created extensive sugarcane crops, for which they introduced African slaves.
The English, by the Peace of Breda (1667), ceded the territory to the Dutch in exchange for New Amsterdam in North America. However, Suriname was again occupied by the English in 1799 during the wars against revolutionary France. Suriname was subsequently returned to the Netherlands in 1816.
History Of Slavery In Suriname
History Of Slavery In Suriname: Slavery was abolished in Suriname in 1863. It became necessary to recruit foreign labour, especially from India, Pakistan and Indonesia. In 1935 the exploitation of its mineral resources, especially bauxite, by U.S. capital began as a monopoly.
In 1937 the Netherlands transformed the colony of Suriname into territory. Subsequently, in 1954 it received internal autonomy and became an integral part of the Netherlands on an equal footing.
From 1966, a prime minister accountable to the Assembly directed domestic policy. In 1969 a coalition government was formed between the United Hindustani Party and the National Progressive Party headed by the latter’s leader, Jules Sedney.
In the November 1973 elections, the National Coalition (NPK) party, representing the progressive black population, triumphed. Its leader, Henck Arron was proclaimed president and demanded the country’s independence.
Independence of Suriname
Independence was achieved on November 25, 1975 and was renamed Suriname. Part of the Indian population left the country for fear of racial repression by the new government. Henck Arron was overthrown by a military coup in 1980. After a period of political turmoil, the leader of the armed forces, D. Bouterse, took control and imposed an authoritarian regime.
The chain of military uprisings exacerbated the already deteriorated economic situation as a result of mismanagement, internal struggles and the fall in the price of bauxite, the main export.
After seven years of military rule, the new Constitution and elections in November 1987 restored democracy in Suriname. A coalition of the three main parties won a majority of seats in the Assembly, which in 1988 elected reformist R. Shanka president.
The new government had to confront the guerrillas of the Suriname Liberation Front (SNP), which demanded measures against poverty. The 1991 elections ratified most of the civil parties. Ronald Venetiaan of the National Party of Suriname (SNP) served as president. Venetiaan returned in 2000 after a period of government of the opposition National Democratic Party (NDP).
Culture in Suriname
With the arrival of Hindustani from India in Suriname, of course, culture and religion also came along. That happened in the immigration period. For example, Hindus came to Suriname who are Hindu. But also others with the faith of Muslim. Of those who profess the Hindu faith, the largest group is part of Sanatan Dharm.
History of Suriname Fashion
Western style clothes are popular in Suriname. But traditional styles also are seen inside and outside the home. Hindu men wear dhoti kurta [long loincloth with long shirt]. Hindu women wear saris with cholis [short top]. Women of Javanese descent may be seen in traditional kain kebaya [sarong with blouse]. It also is common to see Surinamese creole women in their koto [loose long dress] with angisa [headpiece].
History Of The Flag Of Suriname
History of Suriname Flag : On November 25, 1975, Dutch Guiana, a former colony of the Netherlands, ceased to exist. Suriname was born and with it its new flag. The two green strips represent the dense forests that cover the essence of this northeastern South American country, as well as its cattle ranching meadows and sugarcane fields.
White suggests peace, justice and freedom. Totally justified ambitions given its history: Suriname was occupied by The Spanish, French and English, and was a Dutch colony for three centuries. Red, in the center of the flag, announces love and rebirth. The yellow star with five arms shows us the unity of its ethnic groups.
In this country located on the edge of the Guiana plateau, next to the Atlantic Ocean, Creoles, Hindus, Japanese and black Maroons, Indians, Chinese and Amerindians coexist.
Also Read History of Guyana
History of Suriname or Dutch Guiana | Curiosphere-History (curiosfera-historia.com)
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