Saramaka

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Saramaka, sometimes spelled Saramacca is the name of a group of Maroons (escaped African slaves) who established small communities along the Suriname River in Suriname during the XVIII century and are now present in Suriname and in French Guiana.

Other groups of Surinamese Maroons (locally called bushi-nengre), are the Alukus (also called Bonis), the Paramakans, the Aukan or Ndjukas, the Kwintis and the Matawais. The Saramaka people are closed related to the Matawai. The Aukaners, Paramakans, Kwintis and Bonis are more closely related to each other. These creoles have strong English and Dutch components.

The Saramaccan language is a Creole language influenced by English, Portuguese and African roots.

They formed fiercely independent communities around the cultivation of cassava, taro, plantation, hunting and fishing. The Saramaka people live in huts made of palm leaves, the housing style is reminiscent of West African huts.

The culture of the Saramakas is rich, and they are well known as sculptors. They have only an oral tradition, rich in historical stories, in riddles and short tales and songs.

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Last updated on Friday February 22, 2008 at 23:19:36 PST (GMT -0800)
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