Culture of Suriname

Surinamese culture is very diverse and dynamic and has a strong Asian and African influences. The population is composed of the contribution of people from the Netherlands, Africa, India, China and Indonesia as well as indigenous peoples who lived in the area before the arrival of European settlers. 90% of persons established in Suriname have ancestors who come from other countries and regions.

The city of Paramaribo is the heart of this small country and the sounding of their culture.

Cultural events

New Year's Eve
Chinese New Year
Holi-Phagwa
Easter
Labour Day
Immigration of the Indians
Keti Koti
Immigration of the Javanese
Day of the indigenous people
Independence Day
Christmas

Music

Main article: Music of Suriname

Suriname is a South American country, a former colony of the Netherlands with strong ties to that country. The country is well known for kaseko music, and have an Indo-Caribbean tradition.

The Kaseko probably derived from the expression "casser le corps" (rest body) that was used during slavery to describe a very fast dance. Kaseko is a fusion of many styles and folklore from Europe, Africa and the Americas. It is rhythmically complex percussion instruments including skratji (big drum) and trap drums and saxophone, trumpet and trombone occasionally. May be sung solo or in chorus. The songs are typically structured to say and answer, as are the styles of the natives of the area, as winti and Kawina.

The Kaseko evolved in the thirties during festivities that used large bands, particularly bands of winds, and were called Bigi Pokoe (big drum music). The following: World War 2, jazz, calypso and other important became popular, while the rock music of the United States soon left its own influence in the form of electric instruments.

Indo-Surinamense music

Indian music arrived with immigrants from South Asia. This included folk music played with the dhantal, tabla, sitar, harmonium and dholak, tassa drums then even. That music songs were mostly Hindus called the "bhajans" and the filmi. The singing style tan is unique to the Indian community in Suriname and Guyana.

Sports

The Suriname Olympic Committee is the National gouverning body for sports in Suriname. The SOC was established in 1959 and now has 17 members. Athletics, Badminton, Basketbal, Boxing, Chess, Cycling, Judo, Karate, Shooting, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwando, Tennis, Thriathlon, Volleyball, & Wrestling.

Other some what popular sports in Suriname are baseball & softball, beach soccer & beach volley, boating, body building & power lifting, bridge, cricket, draughts, fishing, golf, horseback riding, snooker & billiards, squash, auto & motor sports, car rallying with the annual Savannah rallye of the Surinaamse Auto Rallye Klub (SARK).

One of the major sports in Suriname is football. Some of the greatest football players to represent the Netherlands, such as Fabian de Freitas, Pierre van Hooijdonk, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Aron Winter, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Stanley Menzo, Ryan Babel, Ken Monkou, Edson Braafheid, Boy Waterman, Regi Blinker, Fabian Wilnis and Eljero Elia are of Surinamese descent. Davids in particular has written of his passionate pride in his Surinamese heritage and his love of attending football matches there. There are a number of local heroes in other sports as well, like Primraj Binda, best known as the athlete who dominated the local 10 km (6.2 mi) for nearly a decade, Steven Vismale and Letitia Vriesde. Another notable track athlete from Suriname was Tommy Asinga.

Swimmer Anthony Nesty is the only Olympic medallist for Suriname. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, he now lives in Gainesville, Florida, and is a coach of the University of Florida, mainly a coaching distance swimmers.

Multiple K-1 champion and legend, Ernesto Hoost, was born in Suriname. Rayen Simson, another legendary multiple world champion kickboxer, was also born in Suriname.Remy Bonjasky also a multiple K-1 champion is also from Surinamese descent. MMA and Kickboxing champions Melvin Manhoef, Gilbert Yvel were born in Suriname or from Surinamese descent. Retired female kickboxer Ilonka Elmont was also born in Suriname. Another notable up and comer kickboxer and K-1 fighter, Tyrone Spong, was born in Suriname. Ginty Vrede, a former Muay Thai Heavy Weight Champion who died in 2008 aged 22, was born in Suriname.

Cuisine

The Surinamese cuisine is extensive, since the population of Suriname coming from many countries, the Surinamese cuisine is a combination of so many international cuisines including Hindoestaans (India), Creole (Africa), Javanese (Indonesia), Chinese, Dutch, Jewish, Portuguese, Amerindian.

The above has ensured that the Surinamese cooking many dishes has spawned, the different groups were then each other's dishes and ingredients to use and influence which new Surinamese cuisine originated include: roti, fried rice, noodles, pom, snesi Foroe, moksi meti , Losi Foroe; from this blending of many cultures with the Surinamese, Surinamese cuisine is a unique creation. Basic food include rice, groundnuts and cassava fruits such Tayer (Creole) and roti (Hindi). Usually this is a chicken on the menu in many variations of the Chinese and Hindu snesi Foroe masala chicken to pom, a very popular party dish of Creole origin. Also, salt and meat bakkeljauw are widely used. Beans, okra and Boulanger are examples of vegetables in the Surinamese kitchen. For a spicy dishes taste as Madame Jeanette peppers are used.

Besides the dish is also pumping roti (often served with a filling of chicken masala, potato and vegetables) often served on festive occasions with many guests. Other famous dishes are moksi-alesi (boiled rice mixed with salted meat, shrimp or fish and any vegetables) and the original Javanese fried rice and noodles, which in the Western Hemisphere have developed their own.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Suriname

• Christianity: 48 %
• Hinduism: 27.4%
• Islam: 19.6%
• Indigenous religions: 5%