 Saramaka man, photo c.1910, from Sir Harry H. Johnson's The Negro in the New World | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 90,000[1] (2013, est.) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Tribal (Boven Suriname & Brokopondo) | 28,500 |
| Paramaribo & suburbs | 29,000 |
| French Guiana | 25,000 |
| Netherlands | 7,500 |
| Languages | |
| Saramaccan | |
| Religion | |
| Saramaka religion, Christianity: Moravian, Catholic, Evangelical | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Matawai, Kwinti | |
| Granman of the Saramaka people | |
|---|---|
since 2018 | |
| Residence | Asindoopo |
The Saramaka, Saamaka or Saramacca[note 1] are one of six Maroon peoples (formerly called "Bush Negroes") in the Republic of Suriname and one of the Maroon peoples in French Guiana. In 2007, the Saramaka won a ruling by the Inter-American Court for Human Rights supporting their land rights in Suriname for lands they have historically occupied, over national government claims. It was a landmark decision for indigenous peoples in the world. They have received compensation for damages and control this fund for their own development goals.
The word "Maroon" comes from the Spanish cimarrón, which was derived from an Arawakan root.[3] Since 1990 especially, some of the Saramaka have migrated to French Guiana due to extended civil war in Suriname. By the early 16th century, the term "maroon" (cimarron) was used throughout the Americas to designate slaves who had escaped from slavery and set up independent communities beyond colonists' control.[4]
- ^ Richard Price (2013). "The Maroon Population Explosion: Suriname and Guyane". New West Indian Guide. New West Indian Guide / Nieuwe West-Indische Gids Volume 87: Issue 3-4. 87 (3–4): 323–327. doi:10.1163/22134360-12340110. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ "Albert Aboikoni is nu officieel granman van Saamaka". Star Nieuws. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ Arrom, José (1986). "Cimarrón: Apuntes sobre sus primeras documentaciones y su probable origen". Revista Española de Antropología Americana. 13: 13–30.
- ^ Price, Richard, ed. (1996). Maroon Societies: Rebel Slave Communities in the Americas (3rd ed.). Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xi-xii. ISBN 978-0801854965.
Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).