world day of prayer 2018 • “all god’s creation is very … on a slave econ-omy, initially...

Geography and populationThe Republic ofSuriname lies in thenortheastern part of South America. It is named after the Surinen tribe, one of

the indigenous peoples of that land. Surinameis part of the Guianas, an ecological regionwithin the Amazon. The word Guiana comesfrom a Kaliña word meaning “land of manywaters.” Suriname has many rivers andcreeks. Over 90 percent of the country iscovered by pristine tropical rainforest andgreat biodiversity. Suriname has a humid tropical climate.

The average temperature during the day is 80º F. January is the coldest month (averaging78º F) and the hottest month is October(averaging 82º F).

The population is approximately 540,000.The population is multiethnic, consisting of indigenous peoples (approx. 20,300), Africandescendants (Creoles and Maroons; approx.206,400) and also Asian descendants (Hindus-tani, Javanese and Chinese people; approx.230,300). Approximately 84,500 are of Euro-pean descent or “new” immigrants from coun-tries like Lebanon, Guyana, Brazil, and Haiti.Ninety percent of the population lives in

coastal areas, with more than half in the capital city of Paramaribo, situated on the left bank of the Suriname River. The wordparamaribo is believed to have come from anindigenous word meaning “city of flowers.”There are almost 400,000 Surinamese and

their descendants living in diaspora. They emigrated to the Netherlands, to the formerNetherlands Antilles, and to the United Statesin search of opportunities. This is almost the same number as the current population in Suriname.

World Day of Prayer 2018 • “All God’s Creation Is Very Good!”Supplemental Material • About Suriname

This material is part of the worship service and educational resource for the 2018 WDP annual celebration. For further information, contact World Day of Prayer USA • 475 Riverside Drive, 15th Floor • New York, NY 10115 • 212.870.2466 • Orders: [email protected] • www.wdp-usa.org • www.wdp-usa/blog www.facebook.com/worlddayofprayerusa • www.twitter.com/wdpusa

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Ten percent of the indigenous peoples, as well asthe Maroons, live in the vast forests of the interior.The population density is only 3.5 inhabitants persquare kilometer. The coastal area of Suriname is largely residential

and has a great deal of economic activity (agriculturaland industrial activity, especially). However, this partof the country is less than two meters above sea leveland, because of climate change and rising seawaters,faces eventual flooding.The ethnic diversity gives rise to a great variety of

cultures, religions, and languages. The Sranan languagedeveloped during the colonial period. It was used byslaves on the plantations. Now, it is used by manyethnic groups. The official language is Dutch, a rem-nant from the last colonizer of Suriname.The historic center of Paramaribo (a UNESCO

World Heritage Site) is characterized by buildingsfrom the time of the Dutch and English colonization.The Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is the highest wooden structure in South America. FortZeelandia, another landmark, is constructed entirelyout of red bricks.Suriname belongs both to Caribbean and South

America organizations like CARICOM (Caribbean

Community) and UNASUR (Union of South AmericanNations). It is also a member of multilateral organiza-tions including OAS (Organization of American States),ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific States), and the United Nations.Suriname cosponsoredthe resolution toachieve the UN Decla-ration on the Rights ofIndigenous Peoples of

2007 and signed the decla-ration, along with otherUnited Nations memberstates.

Community land is a controversial issue in Suriname.Both the indigenous peoples and the runaway slaveswho formed the Maroons communities in the interiorare seeking land rights in the districts of Para and Coronie. It is a long process involving both the commu-nities and the government, and has received the supportof international organizations such as the OAS.Freedom of religion is written into the Constitu-

tion, and many religions are practiced in Suriname.They include Christianity (48%), Hinduism (22%),Islam (14%), traditional religions (2%), Javanism(1%). A small percentage practice Judaism and other religions. The Mosque Keizerstraat (an originalwooden building from 1932) was built adjacent to Synagogue Neve Shalom (an original woodenbuilding from 1723) in Paramaribo.



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Environment and biodiversitySuriname is a country of greatbeauty and enormous biodiver-sity. There are 715 species ofbirds. Giant sea turtles flock tosandy beaches like Galibi andMatapica, to lay their eggs. There are many orchidsand over 60 species ofheliconias (“lobsterclaw” flowers).The Nature Conser-

vation Act and theHunting and ShootingAct were enacted in1954. These are thefirst laws providing protection for nature and conser-vation. By 1994, five percent of Surinamese soil wasprotected in the form of 13 nature reserves, one nature park (Brownsberg) and one Multiple UseManagement Area (Bigi Pan). Today, about 15 percent of the land is protected

territory. The biggest nature reserve is the CentralSuriname Nature Reserve, established in 1996. Be-cause of its mountainous areas, river rapids, savannasoil, rock formations, remarkable vegetation (orchids,ferns, palm trees, plants, and trees) and wildlife, thisnature reserve has been placed on UNESCO’s list ofWorld Heritage Sites.The entire Surinamese coastline, except for the

territories north of the Greater Paramaribo region,have been designated as special management areas.Hunting and collecting eggs is prohibited in breedinggrounds where birds and sea turtles come to lay their eggs.

In 1998, the National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname(NIMOS) was established. Itsobjective is to regulate andmonitor the environmentalactivity in Suriname. In the 1970s, the Centre

for Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS) devel-oped a forest management

system to establish a more sustainable form of forestry.This system has been copied by larger nations, such asBrazil and Venezuela, for the development of their ownforestry industries.The country is a signatory to various international

treaties such as the Ramsar Convention for the Pro-tection of Waterbirds and Wetlands, the Conventionon the International Trade in Endangered Species, the Convention on Biodiversity and Agenda 21.



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Political historyAfter Columbus’ arrival in America in 1492, there was an influx of Europeans to the “New World,” particularly from Spain and Portugal, in search of the Gold Coast. Spanish seafarers, led by Alonso deOjeda, arrived in Suriname in 1499. Subsequently, the country was ruled by the French, the English, theZealanders, and the Dutch for short periods of time.The English ruled Suriname from 1651 to 1667, butafter the war between the Netherlands and England,Suriname was exchanged by New Amsterdam (nowNew York), a Dutch settlement at the time. Surinamewas a Dutch colony untilits independence in 1975.The gold rush proved

unsuccessful in thecolony, so plantationswere developed to culti-vate sugar cane, coffee,tobacco, cocoa, and cot-ton. The plantations werebased on a slave econ-omy, initially enslavingthe indigenous peopleswho were soon replacedby slaves brought in bythe transatlantic slavetrade. In 1502, over300,000 Africans werebrought to Suriname andforced to work as slaveson the plantations. Manyslaves ran away from theplantations and startedcommunities in the inte-rior, known as Maroon

communities. The Maroons fought the plantationowners and the colonial government, and encouragedother slaves to run away with them. The most famousMaroon leaders were Baron, Boni, and Joli Coeur,who were captured and burned to death publicly.It was not until 1814 that the slave trade to the

colonies (including Suriname) was abolished. Butslavery continued until 1863 in Suriname. The formerslaves were required to work for their former ownerson the plantations under state supervision for 10more years for minimal wages. Just after this period,they were allowed to find jobs, but there was notraining. No provisions were made to include them in the new economy; as a result unemployment wasextremely high. With the end of slavery, indentured labourers from

Dutch colonies (India, 1873–1916) and Indonesia(1890–1910)) were contracted to work on the planta-tions. As early as 1853, Chinese and Portuguese peo-ple from the island of Madeira were brought to workin Suriname as indentured laborers.In 1948, Suriname achieved self-government, which

meant the country had a say in their own internal af-fairs. However, for international affairs, they were stillunder the supervision and control of the Netherlands.On November 25, 1975, after much diplomatic negoti-ation, Netherlands agreed to give Suriname full inde-pendence. Its first president was also the last governorof the self-governing period, J. Ferriër. A prime minister,Henck Arron, became the head of the government, asin other countries of the Caribbean. On February 25, 1980 a military coup d’état

occurred, changing the political system. The newpresident and ministers were selected by the military.On December 8, 1982, the killing of 15 men by

the military shocked the country. Among them were



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lawyers, journalists, activists, and members of themilitary accused of planning to take over the govern-ment. There was an unconcluded trial; the families’demands for justice were never met. This is a delicatesituation that still causes pain in Suriname. On July 21, 1986, a Maroon and former soldier,

Ronny Brunswijk, rebelled against the military rule of Commander Desi Bouterse. An internal war startedin the east of Suriname, forcing many of the Maroonpeople to seek refuge in French Guiana or flee to thecity of Paramaribo. It was not until 1986 that a peaceagreement between the government and the rebelgroup known as Jungle Commando was enacted.Until the end of the military government in 1987,

the Constitution had been put aside. Now with a newConstitution, democratic elections have resumed andthe new head of government is an executive president.

EconomyDuring the colonial period, before 1863, Surinamehad an agricultural economy based on slave work andthe exportation of sugar, coffee, cocoa, and cotton,mainly to the Netherlands. During World War I, theUnited States started mining for bauxite. Bauxite was

the raw material for aluminum, which was used in the aircraft industry.With the decline of bauxite mining and Suriname’s

political independence in 1975, diversification of theeconomy has been placed at the forefront. Small-scalegold mining, the export of red and grey snapper andtuna, and farmers supplying regional markets withrice, fruit, vegetables, and cassava are signs of a new economy. There are two international gold mining companies

active in the country. There is also illegal mining. Surinamese and foreigner miners (such as the Brazilian

“porknockers”)are illegally mining anddamaging theenvironment.High-pressurehoses are usedto dislodge sedi-ment, loosening it and mining the resulting gold dustand nuggets. As a result, huge areas of forest havedisappeared, making way for enormous craters anddesert-like landscapes. The mercury used by the por-knockers has polluted the water in rivers and creeks.The level of mercury found in fish and in people’s



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bodies in the interior is believed to be much higherthan internationally accepted standards. At the moment, Suriname has decided not to become a party to the Minamata Convention, which deals with issues such as the use of mercury in mining. Gold and crude oil are the country’s greatest

sources for foreign currency. Oil wells are drilled byStaatsolie, the state oil company of Suriname. Thegovernment is also looking into the global demandfor fresh drinking water, and is extracting water from subterranean sources. In 1995, the World Bank classified Suriname as

the 17th richest country in the world because of itsnatural resources.

EducationEducation in Suriname was based on the Dutch educational system. Plantation owners sent children at an early age to study in Europe, while the enslavedchildren were educated in country, in church schools.The Moravian and the Roman Catholic Churches weregiven permission to educate the enslaved, the Maroonsand indentured laborers, particularly their children.

Initially, education in Christianschools was meant to “win soulsfor the Lamb.” The colonial gov-ernment was convinced that theenslaved and the Maroons wouldbe less aggressive toward theirmasters and the colonial govern-ment, if they were educated bythe churches, as they were to“patiently bear their cross in this

life, so as to receive even greaterglory beyond.”Today, the government is

responsible for education, butthere are also church and privateschools across the country. Up to the secondary level, public and church schools are free andsubsidized by the government.Education is required for childrenfrom 7 to 12 years old, but there

is no compulsory school attendance beyond that.This law was introduced in 1876 and was neveramended. Nor is there required education in placefor preschoolers. In remote areas, education is offered in community

centers and boarding schools. There is great need foradult education and “second chance” education foryoung people who drop out of school.University and professional educations are not

free, but students may be eligible for scholarships, or recently created education credit with interest-freeloans. In secondary schools, the percentage of girlswho attend is remarkably higher (64%) than that ofboys (36%). At university and higher professionaleducational levels, the difference is even greater: 75percent of women as opposed to 25 percent of men.



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Health careThere are six hospitals in Suriname, five of which arein Paramaribo. One of the hospitals is an academichospital. There are various healthcare centers in thedistricts and in the interior—360 medical health locations (which amounts to 1 doctor for every 1,500 inhabitants) and166 specialists.Cardiovascular

diseases (5.6% of the population) anddiabetes (13% of the population) arerespectively the firstand the fourth causesof death in Suriname.According to theWorld HealthOrganization, 10percent of men and 30percent of women areobese, and 21 percent of the population suffers highblood pressure. Suriname has, therefore, committedto implementing the programs of the Pan AmericanHealth Organization and the United Nations, and to take more preventive measures with regard tocardiovascular diseases and diabetes.Different churches in Suriname have played an

important role by sending their medical missions toattend people affected by malaria, HIV, and AIDS, and other diseases with high occurrences in the interior of Suriname. Responsibility for the prevention of dengue,

chikungunya, and zika in Suriname lies with the Bureau for Public Healthcare. They keep the popula-tion informed on how to combat mosquitos and what

prevention measures to take. The Bureau occasionallygoes out into neighborhoods to monitor and collectbulky waste to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. For illnesses that cannot be treated in Suriname,

arrangements are made to refer patients abroad, forexample to Columbia, the Netherlands, or Cuba. TheNational Health Insurance Fund (SZF) covers a majorpart of the treatment cost.All children between the ages of 0 and 17, as

well as senior citizens over 60, are entitled to freemedical care through the social security system.Furthermore, the Basic Health Insurance Act,effective as of 2014, provides obligatory healthinsurance to all workers, paid by the employer and employee. The economically disadvantaged may wholly or partially qualify for medical treatment at the expense of the government. With regard to suicide and drug addiction, the

numbers among both men and women are alarming.According to the Suriname Bureau of Statistics, suicide-related deaths rose from 2000 to 2008. In 2010there were 137 suicides and in 2011, 127 cases wereregistered. Just as in previous years, more than 70 percent of these cases were male.

The situation of women and childrenWomen’s suffrage was only granted fully in 1948. In 1936, women were able to stand for election, but they were not allowed to vote. The first femalemember of Parliament was Grace Schneiders-Howard, who was elected in 1938. Dr. Sophie Redmond broke new ground in the areas of publichealth and politics as the first female doctor in thecountry. She spent her life fighting for accessible basic sanitation and nutrition education. During the elections of May 25, 2015, approxi-

mately 31 percent of the candidates were women. In



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these elections, 15 female members ofParliament were elected (29%) and, forthe third time, a woman was electedchair of Parliament. The cabinet ofministers who took office on August12, 2015, consisted of three womenout of a total of 16 members (18.75%).Married women until recently did

not have the same civil rights as theirspouses. Managing possessions withinthe marriage was the privilege of thehusband. He was authorized to sellthe home and all belongings withoutthe wife’s consent. On April 16, 1981,National Decree C-11 granted women equal legalrights. According to the Explanatory Memorandum,the basis for this was the constitutional principle of equality for all citizens, regardless of gender. Suriname has a special law for Asian marriages.

Couples are allowed to be married by the traditionalrules of their Hindu or Islam traditions, although theymust register the marriage at the Central Office. Since2003, the legal position of Asian women has im-proved, particularly concerning grounds for divorceand inheritance. In March 1993, the Surinamese government rati-

fied the United Nations Convention on the Elimina-tion of All forms of Discrimination against Women(CEDAW), and in February 2002, ratified the OASInter-American Convention on the Prevention, Pun-ishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women.With these conventions and the creation of the Na-

tional Bureau for Gender Policies (within the Ministryof Internal Affairs) and the Domestic Violence Bureau(at the Ministry of Justice and Police), the countrystrengthened the rights of women at the nationallevel. However, laws and policies to combat domestic

violence are still at an early stage intheir ability to protect women, butalso men, children, parents, grandpar-ents, and other family members.Suriname has joined 189 UN mem-

ber states signing onto the United Na-tions Millennium Development Goalsand the subsequent Sustainable Devel-opment Goals. The Suriname Millen-nium Development Goals report forthe United Nations showed that thecountry successfully reached most of the goals toward reducing povertyby September 2015. Malaria-related

deaths have been eradicated; HIV and AIDS deathsand infections have been reduced by more than half.Progress has been made in mother and child prenatalcare and immunizations; breastfeeding for at least sixmonths is being promoted.Despite this progress, many are still deprived of

fundamental human rights, such as access to housing.Women are heads of household in 31 percent ofhomes in Suriname, yet only 80 percent have appliedfor government-provided housing. The interests of children are protected both in the

Surinamese Constitution and national laws. A lawwritten in February 2000 eliminated the distinctionbetween legitimate and natural children in laws of inheritance. Yet, there are still violations of children’srights, such as child labor. The sight of children sell-ing fruit in the streets and in front of shops in townshas become common. A more frightening situation is children working in the gold mines. The gravity of mercury poisoning and the subsequent decline inhealth seems to be severely underestimated by govern-ment and society alike. It is, therefore, important that the government and society, with international



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support, if necessary, come up with structural solutions to this problem.The National Youth Institute was established in

November 1999 as a consultative body for young peo-ple. CARICOM youth ambassadors represent youngpeople in the CARICOM Heads of State meeting,where they are given the opportunity to discuss theirissues. In the Youth Parliament, young Surinamese discuss their situation and submit proposals to the government to improve their condition in society.

CultureEach ethnic group brings its own language, traditions,and religion from its native country. Suriname is acountry blessed with a wide variety of art, literature,music, clothing, dance, drama, and cuisine. Eachgroup’s dishes, spices, ingredients, and techniques addto the diversity of the country’s food. It is difficult toname a national dish. However, rice is common to almost all groups.Typical drinks are orgeade (a sweet, flavored, cloudy

syrup made from barley, almonds, sugar, and water),ginger beer, dawet (a lemongrass syrup, with a swirl of

coconut milkand a splashof water),and localbeer. In terms

of dishes, theindigenouspeoples liketo cookpeprewatra(a soup withmeat or fishand a lot of peppers),

served with cassava bread. The Maroons serve theafingi or apiti soup (made with fish and cassavadumplings). The Creole people will have rice, pom(a dish made from a certain yellow kind of naturefruit), pastei (a chicken pie) and brown beans. The Hindustani have roti (flat bread) with chicken, vegeta-bles, and dhal (yellow split peas). The Javanese serve a rice table that includes fried rice and fried noodles,and vegetables with peanut sauce. The Chinese, ofcourse, are known for their chow mein.Snacks and desserts from the Creole kitchen

include fiadu (strips of yeast dough filled with butter,cinnamon, sugar, almonds, raisins, and pineapple),boyo (cake made with cassava and coconut, raisins,egg, vanilla extract, and some flour), dosi (cassavabread), and dokun (grated cassava mixed withcoconut, rolled in a banana leaf, and steamed). TheHindustani make djelebie (sweet fried dough), crêpeswith coconut filling, and lapiz (pudding). The Javaneseserve banana chips and cassava chips, and the Chinesemake sweet mooncakes and ba pao (steamed breadstuffed with meat).There are a few special celebrations rich in multi-

culturalism.

• Easter holidays include a four-day road marchwith festive clothing, song, and dance.

• Emancipation Day, July 1, commemorates theabolition of African slavery.

• The last day of the year, December 31, is commemorated with fireworks in the center of the city.

• The Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) encourages CARICOM member states to sharetheir cultural traditions, from folklore and visual arts to cuisine and fashion. Surinamehosted this celebration in 2003 and 2013.



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world day of prayer 2018 • “all god’s creation is very … on a slave econ-omy, initially...

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