Suriname is a multicultural country with a diverse ethnic makeup. Its population consists of various racial and ethnic groups, including East Indians, Creoles, Maroons, Javanese, Amerindians, Chinese, and Europeans.
And now, more specifically
Suriname, the smallest country in South America, is known for its rich cultural diversity and ethnic makeup. With a population of approximately 600,000, Suriname is a melting pot of various racial and ethnic groups. These groups have contributed to the country’s vibrant culture, language, cuisine, and traditions.
The ethnic groups in Suriname include:
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East Indians: A significant portion of Suriname’s population is of East Indian descent. They are descendants of indentured laborers brought from India during the colonial period.
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Creoles: The Creole population in Suriname consists of individuals with African ancestry, who are descendants of enslaved Africans brought to the country during the Dutch colonial period.
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Maroons: Suriname is also home to Maroons, who are descendants of escaped African slaves. They have preserved their African traditions, languages, and cultural practices.
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Javanese: Suriname is home to the largest Javanese population outside of Indonesia. They are descendants of indentured laborers brought from Java, Indonesia, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Amerindians: Various Amerindian groups, such as the Arawak and Carib tribes, have inhabited Suriname for centuries. They have a rich cultural heritage and continue to maintain their traditions and way of life.
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Chinese: The Chinese community in Suriname originated from the arrival of indentured laborers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They have made significant contributions to the country’s commerce and economy.
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Europeans: Suriname has a small European population, mainly consisting of individuals of Dutch descent and other European nationalities.
In discussing Suriname’s multiculturalism and ethnic diversity, Nelson Mandela, the renowned South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, stated, “Our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our nation.” This quote illustrates the importance of embracing diversity and recognizing its potential for nation building.
Interesting facts about the ethnic groups in Suriname:
- Suriname is the only country outside of India where Hindi is an official language due to its large East Indian population.
- The Creole community developed its own language known as Sranan Tongo, which is a creole language based on English and Portuguese with African influences.
- Maroon communities in Suriname preserve their traditional practices, such as their unique form of music called Kaseko.
- The Javanese community in Suriname has preserved many aspects of Javanese culture, including traditional dances, music, and cuisine.
- Suriname’s Amerindian communities have distinct languages and cultural practices, contributing to the country’s diverse heritage.
- Chinese Surinamese individuals have played a significant role in Suriname’s commerce and are involved in various sectors, including retail and agriculture.
- Europeans in Suriname have contributed to the country’s historical development, particularly during the Dutch colonial period.
Table:
| Ethnic Group | Description |
|---|---|
| East Indians | Descendants of Indian laborers brought during the colonial period |
| Creoles | Individuals with African ancestry, descendants of enslaved Africans |
| Maroons | Descendants of escaped African slaves, preserving African traditions |
| Javanese | Descendants of Javanese laborers brought from Indonesia |
| Amerindians | Indigenous peoples with distinct languages and cultures |
| Chinese | Descendants of Chinese indentured laborers |
| Europeans | Individuals of Dutch and other European descent |
In conclusion, Suriname’s multiculturalism is a testament to the diverse racial and ethnic groups that have contributed to the country. Each group brings unique traditions, languages, and customs, creating a rich tapestry of Surinamese society. As Nelson Mandela emphasized, embracing this diversity can help strengthen the nation and build a more inclusive and harmonious society.
Video answer to “What race is Suriname?”
Suriname, located in South America, is a diverse country known for its abundant nature and cultural heritage. With its dense forests and mountain chains, Suriname is the most forested country on Earth. Rivers play a crucial role in transportation, and the Brokopondo Reservoir is the largest inland body of water. Suriname focuses on mining resources such as bauxite, gold, and offshore oil due to the limited agriculture-friendly land. The country is home to unique animal species and has a Caribbean-influenced culture, with diverse cuisine and ethnic communities. Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam are the major religions, and the political history has seen conflicts and alliances. Sports, particularly swimming and track and field, are unifying factors, and Suriname has close ties with neighboring countries and the Netherlands. The people of Suriname take pride in their cultural diversity and appreciate the unity that comes from their different backgrounds.
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Suriname is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the Americas. Most of its people are descended from African slaves and Indian and Javanese indentured labourers brought over by the Dutch to work in agriculture. Most political parties are ethnically based.
Suriname is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the Americas. Most of its people are descended from African slaves and Indian and Javanese indentured labourers brought over by the Dutch to work in agriculture.
Approximately 35 to 40 percent of the population is of British Indian descent (the so-called Hindostani), 30 to 35 percent is Creole or Afro-Surinamese, 15 percent is of Javanese descent, 10 percent is Maroon (descended from runaway slaves), and there are six thousand to seven thousand Amerindians.
Amerindians are the original inhabitants of Suriname. East Indians, also known locally as Hindustanis, are those whose ancestors emigrated from northern British India in the latter part of the 19th century. Creoles are descendants from slaves from Africa.
The population of Suriname is made up of various distinguishable ethnic groups: Afro-Surinamese form about 37% of the population, and are usually divided into two groups: The Creoles (15.7%). These are descendants of enslaved Africans who also have some admixture from the European (mostly Dutch), Spanish, Portuguese and Jewish colonists
Creoles, who in Suriname are people of mainly African descent, constitute between one-tenth and one-fifth of the population. The descendants of Javanese (people from the island of Java in Indonesia) contract labourers and people of mixed ethnicity each make up almost one-seventh of the population.
You will most likely be intrigued
What percent of Suriname is black?
37%
Afro-Surinamese form about 37% of the population, and are usually divided into two groups: The Creoles (15.7%). These are descendants of enslaved Africans who also have some admixture from the European (mostly Dutch), Spanish, Portuguese and Jewish colonists.
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Also asked, What is the largest ethnicity in Suriname? The reply will be: Largest Ethnic Groups in Suriname
- Afro-Surinamese – 37% The largest tribal group in Suriname is the Afro-Surinamese group, which forms about 37% of the nation’s population.
- East Indians – 27%
- Indigenous Peoples – 3.7%
Keeping this in view, Where did the black people in Suriname come from? Answer: Surinamese Maroons (also Marrons, Businenge or Bushinengue, meaning black people of the forest) are the descendants of enslaved Africans that escaped from the plantations and settled in the inland of Suriname (Dutch Guiana) and French Guiana.
One may also ask, What is the white population in Suriname? White Surinamese or European Surinamese are Surinamese people whose ancestry lies within the continent of Europe. As of 2013, people of solely European descent are a small minority in Suriname, accounting for only 5,700 people or 1% of the country’s population.
What ethnic groups live in Suriname?
Amerindians, the original inhabitants of Suriname, form 3.7% of the population. The main groups are the Akurio, Arawak, Kalina (Caribs), Tiriyó and Wayana. Chinese Surinamese, mainly descendants of the earliest 19th-century indentured workers. The 1990s and early 21st century saw renewed immigration on a large scale.
Is Suriname a country? Answer will be: Suriname ( / ˈsʊərɪnæm, – nɑːm / ( listen) ), officially the Republic of Suriname ( Dutch: Republiek Suriname [reːpyˌblik ˌsyːriˈnaːmə], Sranan Tongo: Ripoliku Sranan [ripoliku sranaŋ] ), is a country in northern South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south.
What language does Suriname speak?
Answer: Suriname has roughly 14 local languages, but Dutch ( Nederlands) is the sole official language and is the language used in education, government, business, and the media. Over 60% of the population are native speakers of Dutch and around 20%-30% speak it as a second language.
Does Suriname have a history class in the Netherlands? When asking Surinamese youth about history classes in the Netherlands, it was confirmed that little or no space is given to slavery and colonialism with regards to Suriname.