SURINAME

FLAG
The flag of Suriname (Dutch: Vlag van Suriname) was legally adopted on 25 November 1975,
upon the independence of Suriname from the Netherlands.
The flag was designed as a result of a national competition.[2] It was raised for the first time on
the Independence Day of the Republic of Suriname.[3] There is a legal requirement for vessels
to raise the flag of Suriname when visiting another country to reduce miscommunication
between other countries.[4]
A horizontal triband of green (top and bottom) and red (double width) with large white
border with the large yellow five-pointed star centered on the red band.
Capital Paramaribo
Demonym(s) Surinamese
KEY FACTS
Suriname Is The Smallest South American Country
With an area of only 163,821 square kilometers and a population of only 541,638
individuals as per the 2012 census, Suriname is the smallest country in South America
both in terms of area and population.

Nearly 50% Of Suriname’s Population Lives In Paramaribo

Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname and nearly half of its population of around 241,000
people live in this city.

Suriname Has Only One Cinema

The TBL Cinema is the only cinema in Suriname. It is located in Paramaribo.

It Is One Of Two South American Countries With Left-Side Driving

While all other countries in South America have right-hand driving, Suriname and Guyana
are the only two countries on the continent with left-hand driving.

Only Nation Outside Europe With Dutch As A Language Of The Majority

Suriname’s official language is Dutch, a legacy of Dutch colonial rule in the country. More
than 60% of the Surinamese speak Dutch as their mother tongue while the rest of the
population speaks it as a second language. Suriname is the only country outside Europe
where Dutch is spoken by a majority of the population.

Despite The Small Size, Suriname Has Incredible Ethnic Diversity

East Indians, Maroon, Creole, Javanese, Amerindian, Chinese, White, and many other
ethnic communities call Suriname their home. Intermarriage between the various ethnic
groups has also resulted in the country having a significant population of mixed ethnic
descent.

Large Parts Of Suriname Is Covered By Unspoilt Rainforests

Suriname has managed to conserve nature very well. Large parts of the country’s land are
covered by pristine tropical rainforests hosting a great diversity of flora and fauna. A
massive part of this forest area is protected in the form of natural parks, reserves,
 sanctuaries, etc. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.

Suriname Is A Land Of Many Festivals

The great ethnic diversity of Suriname contributes to its rich culture which includes
numerous celebrations and festivals all year round. The Surinamese celebrate Holi,
Christmas, Javanese Arrival Day, Indian Arrival Day, Day of the Maroons, Diwali, Eid ul-
Fitr, Good Friday, and many more secular and religious festivals and ceremonies.

Suriname Is A Symbol Of Religious Tolerance

Suriname is one of the world’s very few locations where a Jewish synagogue is located
next to a mosque. The country is also home to worship places of other religions like Hindu
temples and Christian churches. All religious groups in the country co-exist peacefully and
religious tolerance is one thing among others that Suriname teaches the world.

The Capital Of Suriname Is A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The inner city of Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital, was inscribed as a World Heritage Site
by UNESCO in 2002. The place has many buildings of historical importance and religious
significance.

FOODS

 Roti.
 Pom.
 Moksi Alesi.
 Bakabana.
 Nasi Goreng.
 Peanut Soup.
 Saoto Soup.
 Kip Saté

Bakabana
Bakabana is a traditional Surinamese dish that is made with plantains. The
plantains are first boiled or steamed, then mashed and mixed with spices like garlic,
onion, and chili pepper. This mixture is then fried in oil until it forms a fritter-like
cake. Bakabana is usually served with rice and vegetables on the side.
This dish is often eaten as a side dish or snack, but can also be served as a main
course. Bakabana is a popular street food in Suriname and can be found at most
markets and roadside stalls. It is typically served with dipping sauces such as
ketchup or mayonnaise.
Bakabana is a dish with African roots, as plantains are native to Africa. This dish
was brought to Suriname by slaves who were taken from their homeland. Today,
bakabana is enjoyed by people of all backgrounds in Suriname.
LENGUAJE
Dutch (Nederlands [ˈneːdərlɑnts] ( listen)), also known as Netherlandic or Netherlandish,
is a West Germanic language spoken by about 25 million people as a first language[4] and
5 million as a second language. It is the third most widely spoken Germanic language,
after its close relatives German and English. Afrikaans is a separate but
somewhat mutually intelligible daughter language[a] spoken, to some degree, by at least
16 million people, mainly in South Africa and Namibia,[b] evolving from the Cape
Dutch dialects of Southern Africa. The dialects used in Belgium (including Flemish) and in
Suriname, meanwhile, are all guided by the Dutch Language Union.
MUSIC
The music of Suriname is known for kaseko music, and for having an Indo-
Caribbean tradition.

FAMOUS PEOPLE
Rutt Jacott
Rutt Jacott is a Suriname musician who moved to The Netherlands with her family at the
age of nine. Her talent gave her the opportunity to work with bands like The Skymasters,
the VARA-Dansorkes, and the Metropole Orkest
TRADITIONAL CLOTHING
The koto is a traditional dress from the Afro-Surinamese or Creole women in Suriname.
Women who wear the dress are called kotomisi[1] (misi means miss in Sranan Tongo).
Different kotos exist for various occasions like weddings or funerals. The development of
the koto as regular dress is not complete but it is still used in special occasions like the
koto-dansi.
With the koto, women wear a head or body covering called an angisa or anisa. The folding
of the angisa sends a social message, for example “Let them talk.”
For men the traditional clothing is the pangani.

Pangi is the name used by the Maroon people of Suriname for a type of cloth, and also for
a wrap that may be made from this cloth.
Pangi cloth is a cotton fabric with multi-colored vertical and horizontal stripes, similar to
West African kente cloth. It may be used by women for a wrap or a sling to carry a baby,
by men for a breech cloth or shoulder cape and for other purposes such as making a
hammock. In Suriname wrap skirts worn by women of all ethnic groups are
called Pangi whether or not they are made of Pangi material.[1]
The Suriname Maroons are the descendants of people who were brought from Africa as
slaves after the mid-1600s and who escaped to live in the forests of the interior, eventually
obtaining the right of self-government from the colonial powers.[2] Traditionally the Maroons
made their own clothing, using cotton as the raw material, which they either grew
themselves or stole from plantation cotton fields. They most likely spun threads in the
same way as the Amerindians, using a spindle at foot height, then wove the threads into
cloth on a simple loom.[3]
A woman would traditionally wear a panga but no top, and this is still customary in some
villages. However, in villages that are frequented by tourists the women now generally
wear a top.[4] Originally pangis were made of plain material, but use of embroidery and
appliqué became more common in the 1990s.[1] Today, pangi wraps and bowls made of
calabashes are the two main products manufactured for tourists in Upper Suriname.[5] The
maroons have learned that colorful and ornate pangis are the most popular with tourists.[6]

INTRESTING PLACES
PARAMARIBO
If you could combine the American Wild West with Amsterdam, you’d get Paramaribo. A
high energy city filled with things to see and do, it’s the most incredible capital in the
Guianas.

Roam around the inner city, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover
grassy squares lined with black and white Dutch colonial buildings, have lunch at one of
the many Indian roti shops, and buy a few pieces of artwork from the Maroon artists selling
their art outside the old Dutch forts.

Parbo, as the locals call it, is a multi-ethnic city where synagogues and mosques are next
door neighbours.

Galibi Nature Reserve

This lovely nature reserve was established in 1969 and is situated at the
mouth of the Coppename River. It’s a haven for birdwatchers, home to the
endangered manatee, and attracts hundreds of turtles during laying season
(April to August).

STINASU, The Foundation for Nature Conservation in Suriname, organizes

several tours to and through the reserve. Their aim is to promote nature
conservation, research, and responsible tourism.

You’ll definitely get an education from your tour guide. If you go during
laying season, you’re sure to see the giant leatherback turtles who return
here year after year.

Arya Dewaker
This Hindu temple is the largest in Suriname and is located in Paramaribo.
It’s arguably the most important in the country to the 30,000+ Hindu’s who
live there.

Designed by a Dutch architect, the building is a two-story octagonal building

with meeting rooms, a library, and ceremony room. Everything in the temple
is designed to reflect aspects of the sun and though there are no images of
deities, you’ll find plenty of Sanskrit and Hindi symbolism.

The architect works to combine the Dutch style with the ancient Moghul
style from India, as well as a bit of Moorish design. The result it truly unique.