Suriname: Governance System of Maroon Communities with Martina Amoksi | Afrospectives
Professor Martina Amoksi, an Historian at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname outlines the matrilineal authority structures and modalities of governance and judicial procedures in the Maroon communities and how these are integrated into the constitutional norms and practices of modern Suriname.
#endogenous #governance #africandiaspora
From the last quarter of the 17th century, enslaved persons from West Africa were imported on a large scale to Suriname, who were employed on the sugar plantations. They had to work and live under extremely harsh conditions. As a result, despite the risks, many fled into the immense forests of the Surinamese interior. There the Maroons were able to build up their society, although the relationship with the whites always remained tense. The achievement of these people is that under extremely difficult circumstances they have developed a new culture whose building blocks are largely African, but the structure itself is largely original. The Maroons have also developed their own system of governance.
The traditional authority of the Maroons has its origin and derives its foundation and recognition from the peace treaties concluded between the colonial authorities and the Maroons in the eighteenth century. Central leadership was imposed on the pacified Maroons by the colonial authorities. The official role of Gaanman was also introduced. In matrilineal succession (via the female line), the man is chosen from a historically determined Lo. The Gaanman has protocols and representative tasks. He exclusively regulates relations with the central government in Paramaribo and is in charge of the Doenkuutu, the tribal assembly. In addition to the function of Gaanman, the traditional authority among the Maroons also includes the functions of edekabiten (chief captain), kabiten (captain) and basiya.
There are six major groups of Surinamese Maroons, that settled along different river banks:
Aluku (or Boni) at the Commewijne River later Marowijne River,
Kwinti at the Coppename River,
Matawai at the Saramacca River,
Ndyuka (or Aukan) at the Marowijne and Commewijne Rivers
Paamaka (Paramaccan) at the Marowijne River
Saamaka (Saramaccan) at the Suriname River
[source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surinamese_Maroons]
Revisiting Theories and Practices of Endogenous Governance in Africa.
A Global Humanity for Peace Institute Symposium in association with Afrospectives 12th May 2022.