World Indigenous People's Day

July 9^th was World Indigenous people’s Day.  The day was a national holiday in Suriname, so there was a gigantic celebration in front of the palm garden and Presidential palace.  Vendors sold jewelry, traditional Amerindian clothing, and pottery.  There was also horse back riding and a merry go round for the children. 

Most importantly, there was a formal ceremony. Ambassadors from The United States and China, and representatives from French Guyana, Trinidad, and Canada were all present  as Native Americans from the US and Canada presented gifts for the President.  Government ministers  and representatives from various countries made speeches in English, Dutch and French. I was surprised that the speeches were not translated into Dutch (the national language). I wonder how many audience members could follow all three languages.

Below, tribal leaders from the US and Canada present the Unity flag as gift for the President of Suriname. A government minister accepts it on behalf of the president.

There were dance and musical performances from Suriname, Peru, Canada and the USA.  Below is a Surianamese dance.

Several other ethnic groups participated. Black and Javanese people sported Amerindian clothing. Many of the vendors  present were maroon women who had sewn Amerindian images onto traditional maroon clothing.  Javanese food was plentiful (I’ve found that non- Amerindians do not regularly eat Amerindian food, and non-maroons do not regularly eat maroon food. Everyone eats Javanese food and Chinese food.)