Members of various Indigenous communities are marking Maroon Day on Thursday with a warning that they are not prepared to “give up our traditional habitats without a fight”.
“It is time for the Surinamese government to take responsibility and recognize the land rights of the Okanisi Maroon community and those of the other Maroon and Indigenous communities. We demand immediate action,” said the Gaanma (the paramount chief) of the Okanisi people, Bono Velantie.
“Any further delay will be seen as a deliberate attempt to deprive us of our rightful heritage. We are prepared to continue this fight with all legal means available, determined to defend our rights as our ancestors did,” he added.
Velantie, who has been appointed for life by the Maroon people and is also recognised and sworn in by the Surinamese government, said the Okanisi people will no longer be misled by the continued delay and lack of respect of the Surinamese government regarding the recognition of land rights.
“For centuries we have lived on the land of our ancestors, lands that were fought for and protected by their blood, sweat and sacrifices. These lands are more than just pieces of earth; they are the soul of our people, the source of our culture, our identity and our existence,” he said.
“I, the Gaanman of the Okanisi people, da Bono Velantie, speak emphatically: we will not give up our traditional habitats without a fight. Our rights to them are non-negotiable. The continued delays and evasive attitude of the government do not do justice to us, our communities and our heritage.
“It is a gross insult to us. This is not just a legal issue, but a struggle to preserve our dignity, our livelihood, our history and our future,” Velantie said, reminding the country that “on this day, October 10, Maroon Day, we commemorate the historic victory of our ancestors in 1760 who their freedom with courage, struggle and dignity.
“If you ask me, there is nothing to celebrate as long as the Surinamese government continues to refuse to recognise our land rights. The politicians who organise parties, give nice speeches, but their words sound hollow as long as our rights to the land, for which our ancestors fought, are not guaranteed.”
Velantie said he is calling on “all Maroons and Indigenous people to stand up together for our land rights.
“This is the moment to stand up like our ancestors and to defend our ancestral areas, our land rights, with all legal means. We, the Maroons, stand strong, but our strength is even greater when we fight in unity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Together we can ensure that our land rights are recognized and respected.”
He said he also wanted to “make it clear that I am not in favour of changing the group name MARRONS. This name is a tribute to our ancestors who fought for their freedom”.
The Surinamese Maroon culture is one of the best-preserved pieces of cultural heritage outside of Africa.
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