The ancestors of the Surinamese people come from all over the world. And that is best to note. Indians, particularly the Arawak and Caribs, are seen as the indigenous people of Suriname. Some five thousand years ago settled in the Guyana 's. Now live there still about three thousand in Suriname.
The origin of all other residents, we need to look elsewhere, though we must sometimes go back very far in the past on that way. Hindus from India, Creoles and Maroons, Javanese from Indonesia, Jews from Africa – Yes, you read that right, Jews from Spain and Portugal, Boeroes-from Netherlands, Chinese and Brazilians. This whole is complemented by – mainly Dutch – interns who are often here for short time, but it does have an impact on the whole. And all these cultures have been mixed together. Knowing that Suriname has a population of more than 450 000 inhabitants (that's less than the city of Antwerp), you can still say that it is a true melting pot of cultures.
And all those cultures have their influence on Suriname. If you walk on the street, you see right away the differences. Only white foreigners can make you look so lash out. And you can often be the difference between a Creole and a Javanese or between a Maroon and a Hindu. Still you can withdraw no line because some Javanese can perfectly go through life as Creole or Maroon. Because that is the most difficult to notice difference. Both population groups are the Negroid type. But the difference is in the culture.
No spang
But despite all these differences, there is a kind of culture. Although culture is a big word. Call it rather a State of mind, or way of life that you can find in all Suriname citizens. The moto here is "No spang", don't worry. Being late is no sin and what today is not done, does happen tomorrow. Stress is not an issue in Suriname. Maybe it's the warm weather, maybe the tasty food, possibly the music.
The origin of all other residents, we need to look elsewhere, though we must sometimes go back very far in the past on that way. Hindus from India, Creoles and Maroons, Javanese from Indonesia, Jews from Africa – Yes, you read that right, Jews from Spain and Portugal, Boeroes-from Netherlands, Chinese and Brazilians. This whole is complemented by – mainly Dutch – interns who are often here for short time, but it does have an impact on the whole. And all these cultures have been mixed together. Knowing that Suriname has a population of more than 450 000 inhabitants (that's less than the city of Antwerp), you can still say that it is a true melting pot of cultures.
And all those cultures have their influence on Suriname. If you walk on the street, you see right away the differences. Only white foreigners can make you look so lash out. And you can often be the difference between a Creole and a Javanese or between a Maroon and a Hindu. Still you can withdraw no line because some Javanese can perfectly go through life as Creole or Maroon. Because that is the most difficult to notice difference. Both population groups are the Negroid type. But the difference is in the culture.
No spang
But despite all these differences, there is a kind of culture. Although culture is a big word. Call it rather a State of mind, or way of life that you can find in all Suriname citizens. The moto here is "No spang", don't worry. Being late is no sin and what today is not done, does happen tomorrow. Stress is not an issue in Suriname. Maybe it's the warm weather, maybe the tasty food, possibly the music.