Info For You Lot Ndyuka (Aukan) People: Suriname`S Matriarchal Hardworking Maroon Tribe
The Ndyuka people, also known equally Aukan people or Okanisi sama, are a Maroon Ndyuka creole-speaking ethnic grouping who alive inwards the deep, interior of the pelting forests of Eastern constituent of Suriname too french Guiana. As a lawsuit of their linguistic communication too cultural similarities to Akan people of West Africa some historians include them amidst Akan people, after all they telephone telephone themselves Aukan. The Ndyuka are subdivided into the opu, who alive upstream of the Tapanahony River of southeastern Suriname, too the bilo, who alive downstream of that river. They farther subdivide themselves into 14 matrilinear kinship groups called lo.
Dyuka people of Suriname
They are the descendants of African slaves brought over from Central too West Africa inwards the 17th too 18th centuries past times the Dutch to piece of occupation the many plantations inwards the coastal regions. Conditions on the plantations were often roughshod too inhumane resulting inwards escapes of slaves into the jungle interior of the province where
they would non live followed. The Aukaners laid their ain societies, forming a unique culture, linguistic communication too lifestyle. For over 300 years the Aukaners have got lived inwards relative isolation from the exterior world. This paper volition effort to explore too document who the Aukaners are too supply at to the lowest degree an initial seem into how they sentiment the world.
Late Paramount Chief of Ndyuka, Granman Matodja Gazon
Economy
Agriculture is the main focus of the Aukan economy. Items grown, however, are for the personal usage of those who grow them (as good equally a pocket-size grouping of related describe solid unit of measurement members). There are no markets. The main crop is dry out rice; other crops include cassava, taro, okra, maize, plantains, bananas, saccharide cane too peanuts. Hunting too angling are also pregnant contributors to the overall economic scheme of the region. Again, game too fish are shared amongst a pocket-size grouping of kinsmen; none are purchased inwards a market-style economy.
Also contributing to the Aukan economic scheme today are items purchased inwards Paramaribo past times Aukan men employed there. These items are too so brought into the interior too include shotguns, tools, pots, cloth, hammocks, salt, soap, kerosene, rum, outboard motors, transistor radios, too tape recorders. Aukaners are also emplyoyed inwards the areas of forestry too aureate mining. Gold mining is right away employing many Aukaners , peculiarly inwards the are of Sella Creek (a tributary of the Tapanahoni).
Family Structure
The primary describe solid unit of measurement unit inwards Aukan social club is the matriclan (“lo”). Matriclans originated from a particular grouping of runaway slaves of a specific plantation from which they derived their names. There are twelve matriclans; each matriclan contains kinsmen who are matrilineally related. These are the strongest describe solid unit of measurement ties; spousal human relationship is of import but does non create equally vital a describe solid unit of measurement link.
Each Aukan hamlet contains 3 groups of people:
1.) matrilineal descendants of mutual ancestress (“people of the belly”)
2.) descendants of the men of the matrlineage (“fathers made them
children”)
3.) those who moved to these villages equally relatives past times marriage; i.e. affines(“those who have got come upwardly to live”)
Aukaners do polygamy (more than 1 married adult woman for a man) but alone if the human being tin afford to maintain to a greater extent than than 1 household. About 1/3 of the marriages are polygamous. Marriage inwards the Aukan feel consists of an official coming together held of the woman’s matriclan resulting inwards a verbal contract. Basically, the adult woman agrees to comport the man’s children; the human being agrees to supply materially for his wife.
Once married couples must select where they volition live. Due to the fact that 1/3 of the men have got to a greater extent than than 1 wife, attention is taken inwards making that choice! In a recent study the next was discovered:
25% couples chose to alive inwards the hamlet of the husband’s family
30% couples chose to alive inwards the hamlet of the wife’s family
28% couples chose to alive inwards both places
15% chose to alive inwards their ain villages amongst alone brief visits to each other
It is non unusual for a human being to ain a describe solid inwards his wife’s village, his lineage hamlet too his father’s village. Divorce is relatively tardily too frequent, some say equally high equally 40%. In monastic say to obtain a divorce, the human being informs his wife’s matriclan’s leaders that he no longer wants to live her husband. If the human being has wronged the adult woman inwards some way, a fine is levied past times the matriclan to appease the ancestral spirits. It is said that if a adult woman “overpowers” a human being past times her attitudes too actions that human being should divorce his married adult woman too go dorsum to his ain village
Neighbor/Village Relationships
There are many describe solid unit of measurement groups inside each hamlet inwards Aukan society. Families relate to each other on a competitive basis. Limited resources, game, fish too planting grounds Pb to a competitive agenda. Most describe solid unit of measurement to describe solid unit of measurement meetings bring identify to settle disputes betwixt the families. Friendships are few exterior of the family.
Aukan social club is egalitarian; no social classes be for the most part. There are positions of respect, however. The hierarchy of honour for most Aukan villages is equally follows: religious practitioner followed past times gaanman followed past times captains followed past times basias followed past times storeowners/teachers followed past times matriclan leaders.
There is also a hierarchy inwards price of levels of trust for an Aukaner. The next shows who an Aukaner would trust too inwards what order: Fellow villagers followed past times Fellow clan members followed past times Whole Aukan linguistic/cultural grouping followed past times Fellow Maroons followed past times Fellow Surinamers followed past times Foreigners (white people – bakaa).
Aukaner selling stuffs at Paramaribo,Suriname
As tin live seen, whatever white someone or non-Aukaner is looked at amongst a for sure grade of distrust. Aukaners must ever watch themselves equally beingness inwards the winning seat when dealing amongst foreigners. They are rattling hesitant to reveal their truthful thoughts to foreigners, peculiarly inwards the areas of faith too folk tales. This has obvious ramifications for the missionary, too every effort must live made to gain trust too acceptance.
Ndyuka tribe Maroons of Suriname oerforming their traditional dance
The Authority/Political Structure
There are iv groups of authorisation inwards Aukan society: elders (including the paramount chieftain – the Gaanman); the captains (kabitens); kunu (avenging spirits of ancestors); too the priests (shamans, herbalists, funeral foremen, etc.). The elders brand most of the decisions that are non-religious inwards nature inwards the society. Captains are local leaders; the primary captain (like a mayor inwards some sense) is called the Ede Kabiten. Each
captain equally 2 manful someone too 2 woman someone assistants called basias. Male basias human activity equally hamlet criers, announcing the starting fourth dimension of hamlet functions equally good equally other news. Female basias ready too serve nutrient for large hamlet functions too maintain mortuary too other coming together places. In reality priests have got the utmost authorisation inwards that they translate the wishes of ancestral spirits too kunu. More particular on this volition live provided inwards the section
on religion.
The principal political offices (Gaanman too kabitens) are determined through matrilineal lines. Successors of these offices are distant relatives (must belong to the adjacent generation) of the preceding officer.
Beautiful prototype of Aukaner people
Law too Order (Social control)
Religious taboos shape the framework of police pull too monastic say inwards the Aukan society. When a dispute arises amidst Aukaners, it is ordinarily settled after an impasse is reached. Typically, in that location is much yelling too gesticulating. H5N1 mediator (who is ordinarily an affine; i.e. 1 who has married into the family) is called inwards to hold grievance from escalating to the dot of angering the matriclan’s ancestors.
Ndyuka people
In settling disputes, both sides must experience that they have got achieved a cumulative gain inwards the decision-making process. The fearfulness of kunu to a greater extent than often than non acts equally a potent motivation to settle the dispute. If the kunu larn angry, in that location volition live sickness and/or decease inwards some fellow member of the hamlet (not necessarily the disputing parties). As a result, it is inwards the best involvement of the entire hamlet to brand for sure that disputes are settled before matters escalate.
Physical abuse is uncommon; striking each other is a rattling potent taboo. The exception to this dominion is a married adult woman caught inwards adultery – inwards this instance the married adult man has the correct to shell the married adult woman inside for sure parameters. (He must non usage a stick or other weapon; the struggle cannot bring identify on river or inwards the fields.) Citizens inwards this instance are expected to intervene too halt penalty (much similar the intervention of adults inwards the acre of study of
children). Unfortunately, inwards recent times in that location have got been higher levels of physical abuse, maybe resulting from the negative influence of aureate miners inwards the area.If a fellow member of a hamlet refuses to settle a dispute, the mutual penalty is ostracism. It is of import to realize, however, that the overarching topic of Aukan police pull is a pursuit of mercy over justice. If, however, the ancestral spirits need justice, penalty is carried out swiftly out of fear.
Nduka people
Religious Structure
Religion plays an extremely of import role inwards the life of the Aukaner. The religious construction is 1 of animism too ancestral spirit veneration. There is a 3 tiered hierarchy of gods which plays a crucial role inwards every aspect of Aukan life. Some of the most pregnant gods are right away discussed. The creator, the god who is
most powerful, is called “masaa gadu.” One of the most powerful spirits is “father god” (“papa gadu”) which is an incarnation of the boa constrictor. This is a god of mayhem too evil too is invoked inwards witchcraft. Because Aukaners are polytheistic, they are often willing to add together Jesus to their pantheon of gods, belike inwards the minute tier.
Superstition plays a major role inwards the life of an Aukaner. Individuals alive inwards fearfulness that they volition commit some sin that volition upset their ancestral spirits. Avenging, ancestral spirits are called “kunu” too must live appeased (through libations too sacrifices) when a incorrect is committed. All sickness (especially serious illness) is seen to live the lawsuit of kunu action. In sickness or death, the ritual of divining is undertaken to create upwardly one's hear the
displace of the affliction (i.e., who is to blame for the sickness past times their sin). This is accomplished through the usage of oracles (often pilus of the deceased) tied inwards a package too attached to a long plank. Two men grip the plank on their heads too and so questions are pose to the oracle. The means the plank moves, answers the questions. Aukaners also usage charms, amulets, too fetishes to protect them from evil. Witchcraft is a reality inwards the Aukan social club too is to live feared. Priests brand decisions on whether someone is a witch. Frequently, when someone dies of unknown reason, the priest volition grade them equally a witch.There is a definite feel of expert too evil inwards the Aukan hear set. Evil is associated amongst groovy danger, so it is to live avoided equally much equally possible. When a sin is committed, atonement is made rapidly equally directed past times religious practitioners (priests and
mediums). The concept of salvation past times faith is unusual to Aukan thinking. There is the concept of mercy inwards their organization of justice, but atonement must ever live made to comprehend sin. Aukan mindset would live equivalent to a salvation past times works. Converts to whatever faith (including Christianity) are seen equally a definite threat to the Aukan means of life. Often, novel converts displace out of their houses into novel homes away from the traditional
village. Aukaners volition intially hear to converts too testify to add together this novel belief into their ain religious ground view. Syncretism is a existent possibility too steps must live taken to ensure that truthful Christianity is presented.
The Aukaner sees God equally stern, far-removed too a deity to live feared. The belief is that God became disgusted amongst mankind (especially the Aukan people) too removed himself from their presence. Prayers middle about pleas for mercy for whatever accidental sins they may have got committed.
Religious leaders grip an of import identify inwards social club too have got a groovy amount of power. Often the spiritual leaders are chosen past times the ghost of a deceased ancestor or 1 of the gods to live used equally a medium. The private volition too so larn possessed to give a message to the matriclan. The to a greater extent than this private is possessed, the to a greater extent than of a spiritual leader he becomes. Eventually, after years of serving his clan equally a medium, the someone volition live elevated to the seat of priest. It is pregnant to complaint hither that men lone tin be possessed past times the most of import spirits. Women make human activity equally mediums of the serpent gods.
Ancestral shrines are of import to Aukan ritual life, and, inwards fact, must live acquaint for a settlement to live a truthful Aukan village. The 2 ancestral shrines of most significance are the mortuary (“Kee Osu”) too the ancestor pole/flagpole (“Faakatiki”).As stated earlier, Aukaners are mistrustful of foreigners too resistant to true
Christianity. They are a strong-willed people who are rattling proud of their heritage. They are peculiarly proud to live the descendants of runaway slaves whom they watch equally their brave too defiant ancestors. Acceptance of Christianity, inwards the Aukan mind, would involve turning away from their ancestors too rejecting their means of life. Pentecostal churches have got made some breakthroughs inwards Aukan society. It is estimated that in that location are
almost 3000 Aukan Christians, the bulk of whom alive inwards Paramaribo or the Cottica region. Worship is led inwards Sranan Tongo. There are rattling few Christians inwards the interior
Ndjuka God Pantheon
Three Tiers
I MASAA GADU - The Lord God
-The fountainhead of all Creation
FOR ALL HUMANKIND
II GAAN Gadu-Great God or OGII-Danger GEDEONSU-Protector
GAAN Tata-Great Father
-Defender against Ndjuka enemies -King of woods Sprits -Shielding,comforting deity
such equally witches “Wisimen” -Ambivalent toward humans -Offers solace
-Led Ndjukas out of slavery -Very Destructive unless appeased -Medicine Men “Obiaman”
-Defends traditional values/culture
assoc. amongst this deity
(taboos & persecutes thieves, immoral)
THESE ARE TRIBAL / NATIONAL GODS OF AUKANERS
III Yooka Papa Gadu or Vadu Ampuka Kumanti
Ancestor Spirits Reptile Spirits Bush Spirits Celestial Spirits
Birds, thunder/lightning
Bakuu – Demon Spirits
Helpful too so plough destructive
-Depicted equally humans amongst special powers
-Control particular domains too have got particular interests too frailties
-Are able to procreate
-Except for Kumanti, all tin plough into Avenging Spirits (Kunu)
THESE ARE MINOR DEITIES OR INVADING SPIRITS
Religious Bridges
There are many bridges to the gospel inwards the Aukan religion. Bridges identified
hence far include the following:
Belief inwards mercy too merciful intervention
Belief that God is the creator
Belief inwards sin
Belief inwards sacrifice to brand atonement
Concept of “You reap what you lot sow.”
Concept of ancestors – presenting Old Testament characters equally ancestors of faith (one specific story – Joseph)
Belief inwards the after life
No problem believing Jesus did miracles too was boy of God
Belief inwards the spiritual world
These bridges tin live used equally points of understanding inwards sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ .
Dress
The Aukan people have got a rattling typical trend of wearing clothing which distinguishes them from Western society. Aukan women often go topless or have on a bra only. The upper thigh, buttocks too pelvic surface area are ever covered amongst a pangi – a 1 slice roll about cloth.
Ndyuka people of Suriname
Aukan men often go topless or have on the camissa (a toga-like stuff thrown over 1 shoulder too caught amongst a knot). There are times when Aukan men have on a mixture of traditional Aukan wearing clothing too Western wearing clothing (especially hats) to formal occasions. There is a tendency toward the wearing of to a greater extent than Westernized habiliment peculiarly amidst the young.
NDYUKA WOMEN IN THEIR TRADITIONAL DRESS
Aukan Art
Aukaners bask producing fine art inwards a diversity of ways, all of which are sex specific. Men brand elaborate wood carvings including boat oars, trays, canoes, too houses. They oft brightly pigment the doors of their homes equally good equally their boat oars.
Men are considered to live the original artists of the Aukan people. Women, on the other hand, downplay their ain artistic abilities. Women carve out calabash bowls, ladles, too containers. Women also sew together too cross-stitch designs on their husbands’ camissa (a togatype of garment thrown over 1 shoulder too caught amongst a knot). The giving of artistic gifts having carefully been made are of import expressions of honey betwixt spouses.
Ceremony
The biggest annual vacation inwards Aukan social club is held to grade the halt of the 1 twelvemonth period of time of mourning (Bokode). Another vacation is celebrated inwards July to commemorate the halt of slavery (Masipasi). Other celebrations middle about cyclical describe solid unit of measurement events. For example, women are required at each period of time to live separated from the balance of society. Special menstrual huts are available for women to usage during this time. When women render to their ain homes next menstruation, in that location is a fourth dimension of happy celebration. Also, 3 months after a adult woman gives birth, a adult woman too newborn are no longer believed to live ritually dirty too are released dorsum into hamlet life. H5N1 fourth dimension of celebration too presentation of the babe ensues.
Source:https://www.oralitystrategies.org/files/1/312/Worldview%20of%20the%20Aukaners.pdf
http://mariekeheemskerk.org/Publications/Dissertation%20complete.pdf
Two immature girls, "Kwei uman ', amongst babies on their sides. Next to them are 2 boys together. The 2 girls have on Kwei, a stuff that covered their genitals. Wearing a Kwei indicates that the girls are non yet mature. Between their 15th too 18th years were girls festively initiated into adult woman. Circa 1910
Dyuka people of Suriname
They are the descendants of African slaves brought over from Central too West Africa inwards the 17th too 18th centuries past times the Dutch to piece of occupation the many plantations inwards the coastal regions. Conditions on the plantations were often roughshod too inhumane resulting inwards escapes of slaves into the jungle interior of the province where
they would non live followed. The Aukaners laid their ain societies, forming a unique culture, linguistic communication too lifestyle. For over 300 years the Aukaners have got lived inwards relative isolation from the exterior world. This paper volition effort to explore too document who the Aukaners are too supply at to the lowest degree an initial seem into how they sentiment the world.
Late Paramount Chief of Ndyuka, Granman Matodja Gazon
Economy
Agriculture is the main focus of the Aukan economy. Items grown, however, are for the personal usage of those who grow them (as good equally a pocket-size grouping of related describe solid unit of measurement members). There are no markets. The main crop is dry out rice; other crops include cassava, taro, okra, maize, plantains, bananas, saccharide cane too peanuts. Hunting too angling are also pregnant contributors to the overall economic scheme of the region. Again, game too fish are shared amongst a pocket-size grouping of kinsmen; none are purchased inwards a market-style economy.
Ndyuka tribe adult woman cultivating the Earth after burning
Also contributing to the Aukan economic scheme today are items purchased inwards Paramaribo past times Aukan men employed there. These items are too so brought into the interior too include shotguns, tools, pots, cloth, hammocks, salt, soap, kerosene, rum, outboard motors, transistor radios, too tape recorders. Aukaners are also emplyoyed inwards the areas of forestry too aureate mining. Gold mining is right away employing many Aukaners , peculiarly inwards the are of Sella Creek (a tributary of the Tapanahoni).
Ndyuka tribe man child holding plantain
The primary describe solid unit of measurement unit inwards Aukan social club is the matriclan (“lo”). Matriclans originated from a particular grouping of runaway slaves of a specific plantation from which they derived their names. There are twelve matriclans; each matriclan contains kinsmen who are matrilineally related. These are the strongest describe solid unit of measurement ties; spousal human relationship is of import but does non create equally vital a describe solid unit of measurement link.
Each Aukan hamlet contains 3 groups of people:
1.) matrilineal descendants of mutual ancestress (“people of the belly”)
2.) descendants of the men of the matrlineage (“fathers made them
children”)
3.) those who moved to these villages equally relatives past times marriage; i.e. affines(“those who have got come upwardly to live”)
Ganman
Aukaners do polygamy (more than 1 married adult woman for a man) but alone if the human being tin afford to maintain to a greater extent than than 1 household. About 1/3 of the marriages are polygamous. Marriage inwards the Aukan feel consists of an official coming together held of the woman’s matriclan resulting inwards a verbal contract. Basically, the adult woman agrees to comport the man’s children; the human being agrees to supply materially for his wife.
Granman Matodja Gazon, the belatedly Paramount Chief of the Ndyuka.
Once married couples must select where they volition live. Due to the fact that 1/3 of the men have got to a greater extent than than 1 wife, attention is taken inwards making that choice! In a recent study the next was discovered:
25% couples chose to alive inwards the hamlet of the husband’s family
30% couples chose to alive inwards the hamlet of the wife’s family
28% couples chose to alive inwards both places
15% chose to alive inwards their ain villages amongst alone brief visits to each other
It is non unusual for a human being to ain a describe solid inwards his wife’s village, his lineage hamlet too his father’s village. Divorce is relatively tardily too frequent, some say equally high equally 40%. In monastic say to obtain a divorce, the human being informs his wife’s matriclan’s leaders that he no longer wants to live her husband. If the human being has wronged the adult woman inwards some way, a fine is levied past times the matriclan to appease the ancestral spirits. It is said that if a adult woman “overpowers” a human being past times her attitudes too actions that human being should divorce his married adult woman too go dorsum to his ain village
Aukaner adult woman amongst her stereo player
Neighbor/Village Relationships
There are many describe solid unit of measurement groups inside each hamlet inwards Aukan society. Families relate to each other on a competitive basis. Limited resources, game, fish too planting grounds Pb to a competitive agenda. Most describe solid unit of measurement to describe solid unit of measurement meetings bring identify to settle disputes betwixt the families. Friendships are few exterior of the family.
Aukan duo Circa 1910
Aukan social club is egalitarian; no social classes be for the most part. There are positions of respect, however. The hierarchy of honour for most Aukan villages is equally follows: religious practitioner followed past times gaanman followed past times captains followed past times basias followed past times storeowners/teachers followed past times matriclan leaders.
Aukaner selling stuffs at Paramaribo,Suriname
As tin live seen, whatever white someone or non-Aukaner is looked at amongst a for sure grade of distrust. Aukaners must ever watch themselves equally beingness inwards the winning seat when dealing amongst foreigners. They are rattling hesitant to reveal their truthful thoughts to foreigners, peculiarly inwards the areas of faith too folk tales. This has obvious ramifications for the missionary, too every effort must live made to gain trust too acceptance.
Ndyuka tribe Maroons of Suriname oerforming their traditional dance
The Authority/Political Structure
There are iv groups of authorisation inwards Aukan society: elders (including the paramount chieftain – the Gaanman); the captains (kabitens); kunu (avenging spirits of ancestors); too the priests (shamans, herbalists, funeral foremen, etc.). The elders brand most of the decisions that are non-religious inwards nature inwards the society. Captains are local leaders; the primary captain (like a mayor inwards some sense) is called the Ede Kabiten. Each
captain equally 2 manful someone too 2 woman someone assistants called basias. Male basias human activity equally hamlet criers, announcing the starting fourth dimension of hamlet functions equally good equally other news. Female basias ready too serve nutrient for large hamlet functions too maintain mortuary too other coming together places. In reality priests have got the utmost authorisation inwards that they translate the wishes of ancestral spirits too kunu. More particular on this volition live provided inwards the section
on religion.
The principal political offices (Gaanman too kabitens) are determined through matrilineal lines. Successors of these offices are distant relatives (must belong to the adjacent generation) of the preceding officer.
Beautiful prototype of Aukaner people
Law too Order (Social control)
Religious taboos shape the framework of police pull too monastic say inwards the Aukan society. When a dispute arises amidst Aukaners, it is ordinarily settled after an impasse is reached. Typically, in that location is much yelling too gesticulating. H5N1 mediator (who is ordinarily an affine; i.e. 1 who has married into the family) is called inwards to hold grievance from escalating to the dot of angering the matriclan’s ancestors.
Ndyuka people
In settling disputes, both sides must experience that they have got achieved a cumulative gain inwards the decision-making process. The fearfulness of kunu to a greater extent than often than non acts equally a potent motivation to settle the dispute. If the kunu larn angry, in that location volition live sickness and/or decease inwards some fellow member of the hamlet (not necessarily the disputing parties). As a result, it is inwards the best involvement of the entire hamlet to brand for sure that disputes are settled before matters escalate.
Physical abuse is uncommon; striking each other is a rattling potent taboo. The exception to this dominion is a married adult woman caught inwards adultery – inwards this instance the married adult man has the correct to shell the married adult woman inside for sure parameters. (He must non usage a stick or other weapon; the struggle cannot bring identify on river or inwards the fields.) Citizens inwards this instance are expected to intervene too halt penalty (much similar the intervention of adults inwards the acre of study of
children). Unfortunately, inwards recent times in that location have got been higher levels of physical abuse, maybe resulting from the negative influence of aureate miners inwards the area.If a fellow member of a hamlet refuses to settle a dispute, the mutual penalty is ostracism. It is of import to realize, however, that the overarching topic of Aukan police pull is a pursuit of mercy over justice. If, however, the ancestral spirits need justice, penalty is carried out swiftly out of fear.
Nduka people
Religious Structure
Religion plays an extremely of import role inwards the life of the Aukaner. The religious construction is 1 of animism too ancestral spirit veneration. There is a 3 tiered hierarchy of gods which plays a crucial role inwards every aspect of Aukan life. Some of the most pregnant gods are right away discussed. The creator, the god who is
most powerful, is called “masaa gadu.” One of the most powerful spirits is “father god” (“papa gadu”) which is an incarnation of the boa constrictor. This is a god of mayhem too evil too is invoked inwards witchcraft. Because Aukaners are polytheistic, they are often willing to add together Jesus to their pantheon of gods, belike inwards the minute tier.
Superstition plays a major role inwards the life of an Aukaner. Individuals alive inwards fearfulness that they volition commit some sin that volition upset their ancestral spirits. Avenging, ancestral spirits are called “kunu” too must live appeased (through libations too sacrifices) when a incorrect is committed. All sickness (especially serious illness) is seen to live the lawsuit of kunu action. In sickness or death, the ritual of divining is undertaken to create upwardly one's hear the
displace of the affliction (i.e., who is to blame for the sickness past times their sin). This is accomplished through the usage of oracles (often pilus of the deceased) tied inwards a package too attached to a long plank. Two men grip the plank on their heads too and so questions are pose to the oracle. The means the plank moves, answers the questions. Aukaners also usage charms, amulets, too fetishes to protect them from evil. Witchcraft is a reality inwards the Aukan social club too is to live feared. Priests brand decisions on whether someone is a witch. Frequently, when someone dies of unknown reason, the priest volition grade them equally a witch.There is a definite feel of expert too evil inwards the Aukan hear set. Evil is associated amongst groovy danger, so it is to live avoided equally much equally possible. When a sin is committed, atonement is made rapidly equally directed past times religious practitioners (priests and
mediums). The concept of salvation past times faith is unusual to Aukan thinking. There is the concept of mercy inwards their organization of justice, but atonement must ever live made to comprehend sin. Aukan mindset would live equivalent to a salvation past times works. Converts to whatever faith (including Christianity) are seen equally a definite threat to the Aukan means of life. Often, novel converts displace out of their houses into novel homes away from the traditional
village. Aukaners volition intially hear to converts too testify to add together this novel belief into their ain religious ground view. Syncretism is a existent possibility too steps must live taken to ensure that truthful Christianity is presented.
The Aukaner sees God equally stern, far-removed too a deity to live feared. The belief is that God became disgusted amongst mankind (especially the Aukan people) too removed himself from their presence. Prayers middle about pleas for mercy for whatever accidental sins they may have got committed.
Religious leaders grip an of import identify inwards social club too have got a groovy amount of power. Often the spiritual leaders are chosen past times the ghost of a deceased ancestor or 1 of the gods to live used equally a medium. The private volition too so larn possessed to give a message to the matriclan. The to a greater extent than this private is possessed, the to a greater extent than of a spiritual leader he becomes. Eventually, after years of serving his clan equally a medium, the someone volition live elevated to the seat of priest. It is pregnant to complaint hither that men lone tin be possessed past times the most of import spirits. Women make human activity equally mediums of the serpent gods.
Ancestral shrines are of import to Aukan ritual life, and, inwards fact, must live acquaint for a settlement to live a truthful Aukan village. The 2 ancestral shrines of most significance are the mortuary (“Kee Osu”) too the ancestor pole/flagpole (“Faakatiki”).As stated earlier, Aukaners are mistrustful of foreigners too resistant to true
Christianity. They are a strong-willed people who are rattling proud of their heritage. They are peculiarly proud to live the descendants of runaway slaves whom they watch equally their brave too defiant ancestors. Acceptance of Christianity, inwards the Aukan mind, would involve turning away from their ancestors too rejecting their means of life. Pentecostal churches have got made some breakthroughs inwards Aukan society. It is estimated that in that location are
almost 3000 Aukan Christians, the bulk of whom alive inwards Paramaribo or the Cottica region. Worship is led inwards Sranan Tongo. There are rattling few Christians inwards the interior
Ndjuka God Pantheon
Three Tiers
I MASAA GADU - The Lord God
-The fountainhead of all Creation
FOR ALL HUMANKIND
II GAAN Gadu-Great God or OGII-Danger GEDEONSU-Protector
GAAN Tata-Great Father
-Defender against Ndjuka enemies -King of woods Sprits -Shielding,comforting deity
such equally witches “Wisimen” -Ambivalent toward humans -Offers solace
-Led Ndjukas out of slavery -Very Destructive unless appeased -Medicine Men “Obiaman”
-Defends traditional values/culture
assoc. amongst this deity
(taboos & persecutes thieves, immoral)
THESE ARE TRIBAL / NATIONAL GODS OF AUKANERS
III Yooka Papa Gadu or Vadu Ampuka Kumanti
Ancestor Spirits Reptile Spirits Bush Spirits Celestial Spirits
Birds, thunder/lightning
Bakuu – Demon Spirits
Helpful too so plough destructive
-Depicted equally humans amongst special powers
-Control particular domains too have got particular interests too frailties
-Are able to procreate
-Except for Kumanti, all tin plough into Avenging Spirits (Kunu)
THESE ARE MINOR DEITIES OR INVADING SPIRITS
Religious Bridges
There are many bridges to the gospel inwards the Aukan religion. Bridges identified
hence far include the following:
Belief inwards mercy too merciful intervention
Belief that God is the creator
Belief inwards sin
Belief inwards sacrifice to brand atonement
Concept of “You reap what you lot sow.”
Concept of ancestors – presenting Old Testament characters equally ancestors of faith (one specific story – Joseph)
Belief inwards the after life
No problem believing Jesus did miracles too was boy of God
Belief inwards the spiritual world
These bridges tin live used equally points of understanding inwards sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ .
Ndyuka women showing her dorsum tribal beautification marks (Kamemba). Circa 1915
Dress
The Aukan people have got a rattling typical trend of wearing clothing which distinguishes them from Western society. Aukan women often go topless or have on a bra only. The upper thigh, buttocks too pelvic surface area are ever covered amongst a pangi – a 1 slice roll about cloth.
Ndyuka people of Suriname
Aukan men often go topless or have on the camissa (a toga-like stuff thrown over 1 shoulder too caught amongst a knot). There are times when Aukan men have on a mixture of traditional Aukan wearing clothing too Western wearing clothing (especially hats) to formal occasions. There is a tendency toward the wearing of to a greater extent than Westernized habiliment peculiarly amidst the young.
NDYUKA WOMEN IN THEIR TRADITIONAL DRESS
Aukan Art
Aukaners bask producing fine art inwards a diversity of ways, all of which are sex specific. Men brand elaborate wood carvings including boat oars, trays, canoes, too houses. They oft brightly pigment the doors of their homes equally good equally their boat oars.
Abeng
Men are considered to live the original artists of the Aukan people. Women, on the other hand, downplay their ain artistic abilities. Women carve out calabash bowls, ladles, too containers. Women also sew together too cross-stitch designs on their husbands’ camissa (a togatype of garment thrown over 1 shoulder too caught amongst a knot). The giving of artistic gifts having carefully been made are of import expressions of honey betwixt spouses.
Ceremony
The biggest annual vacation inwards Aukan social club is held to grade the halt of the 1 twelvemonth period of time of mourning (Bokode). Another vacation is celebrated inwards July to commemorate the halt of slavery (Masipasi). Other celebrations middle about cyclical describe solid unit of measurement events. For example, women are required at each period of time to live separated from the balance of society. Special menstrual huts are available for women to usage during this time. When women render to their ain homes next menstruation, in that location is a fourth dimension of happy celebration. Also, 3 months after a adult woman gives birth, a adult woman too newborn are no longer believed to live ritually dirty too are released dorsum into hamlet life. H5N1 fourth dimension of celebration too presentation of the babe ensues.
Source:https://www.oralitystrategies.org/files/1/312/Worldview%20of%20the%20Aukaners.pdf
http://mariekeheemskerk.org/Publications/Dissertation%20complete.pdf
Two immature girls, "Kwei uman ', amongst babies on their sides. Next to them are 2 boys together. The 2 girls have on Kwei, a stuff that covered their genitals. Wearing a Kwei indicates that the girls are non yet mature. Between their 15th too 18th years were girls festively initiated into adult woman. Circa 1910
Suriname Dyuka Maroons, a timber overturning. Circa 1925
Thousands pay lastly respects to Paramount Chief Matodja Gazon
Sources: De Ware Tijd, Starnieuws
Villagers of Drietabiki send the coffin containing the trunk of the belatedly granman Matodja Gazon for a lastly tour of his residence. Shortly after the tour, a fleet of 10 boats escorted the coffin to the burial ground inwards Ma-Kownoe-Gron. (dWT photo/Gilliamo Orban)
On Tuesday 10 Apr 2012 thousands of people gathered inwards the Ndyuka hamlet of Drietabiki inwards Suriname to pay their lastly respects to granman Matodja Gazon, the belatedly Paramount Chief of the Ndyuka. The widely esteemed dignitary was buried at a reserved spot inwards Ma-Kownoe-Gron. This is an surface area downstream of the hamlet of Poeketi, which is also closed to Drietabiki – Gazon’s erstwhile residency.
The Paramount Chief of the Ndyuka, who was alone late crowned ‘king of the Ndyuka’ – inwards honour of his condition too achievements – died on 1 Dec 2011 after suffering a stroke. He was 91.
Present at Drietabiki to bid him goodbye were visitors from all over the country, equally good equally guests from abroad. The attendees included leaders too members of all 6 Maroon communities inwards Suriname, authorities officials too other special invitees.
The Ndyuka nation organized the ceremonies, spell the authorities of Suriname contributed financially. The funeral took identify at a relatively belatedly date, almost a calendar month after the traditional period of time of 3 months post-death. The displace of this delay was a belatedly start of the construction piece of occupation at the grave site, equally good equally an accident. In Feb of this year, constituent of the dugout grave collapsed, causing 1 of the diggers to intermission his leg. Upon this, task at the site was temporarily suspended.
The Ndyuka nation organized the ceremonies, spell the authorities of Suriname contributed financially. The funeral took identify at a relatively belatedly date, almost a calendar month after the traditional period of time of 3 months post-death. The displace of this delay was a belatedly start of the construction piece of occupation at the grave site, equally good equally an accident. In Feb of this year, constituent of the dugout grave collapsed, causing 1 of the diggers to intermission his leg. Upon this, task at the site was temporarily suspended.
The grave of the belatedly Ndyuka-leader is non an ordinary one, nor is his coffin. Both are grand, thereby underscoring the condition of the deceased amidst his people. Labor at the grave site was conducted past times 60 diggers who worked inwards daily teams of six. The halt lawsuit is a massive vault that sits at twenty foursquare meters at a depth of seven meters. Of likewise impressive proportions is the coffin, which measures 3 meters long, 1.5 meters broad too 1.5 meters high.
Explaining the unusual sizes of the grave too coffin, Ndyuka captain Johan Djani commented inwards paper De Ware Tijd, “The grave is similar a house. It holds non alone the coffin, placed on a traditional bench, but also personal asset of the deceased too gifts to aid him on his lastly journey.”
In some other article past times the same newspaper, anthropologist Salomon Emanuels sheds lite on the root of the customary three-month-waiting period of time before the burial of a Maroon Paramount Chief. Says Emanuels, “This tradition started inwards colonial times. By the peace treaty of 10 Oct 1760 the Maroons were obligated to study the decease of a Paramount Chief to the governor. But inwards those times, the Maroons had to paddle their means down, so a trip to Paramaribo took at to the lowest degree 3 weeks. Once inwards Paramaribo, they had to hold back for almost some other calendar week before the governor could watch them, too later on they had to move all the means back, upon which the necessary rituals could start. This whole procedure took a expert 3 months. Hence the three-months tradition.”
Villagers of Dritabiki send the coffin containing the trunk of the belatedly granman Matodja Gazon for a lastly tour of his residence. Shortly after the tour, a fleet of 10 boats escorted the coffin to the burial ground inwards Ma-Kownoe-Gron. (dWT photo/Gilliamo Orban)
The Ndyuka funeral priest (oloman) too his squad inwards Feb of this year, preparing for the funeral proceedings (photo from Starnieuws, taken past times the Suriname government)
The Ndyuka funeral priest (oloman) too his squad inwards Feb of this year, preparing for the funeral proceedings (photo from Starnieuws, taken past times the Suriname government)
The belatedly Paramount Chief of the Ndyuka has lain inwards province inwards Drietabiki for the total duration of the funeral preparations. H5N1 funeral priest was inwards accuse of these preparations. He performed libations, for example, too consulted an oracle on a daily footing to have advice on key matters, such equally choosing a funeral date.
Meanwhile, representatives of the 12 Ndyuka clans conducted mourning ceremonies inwards diverse places, both inside Suriname equally good equally inwards the Netherlands. These ceremonies volition go along inwards months to come. The Ndyuka nation closes the period of time of mourning no sooner than 1 twelvemonth after a funeral.
The duties of the Paramount Chief are currently performed past times lower ranked dignitaries (such equally captains or ‘kabitens’) of diverse Ndyuka clans. The identity of Matodja Gazon’s successor, who volition live appointed too installed after the 1 twelvemonth mourning period, has yet to live publicly announced. According to tradition, this someone volition come upwardly from the ranks of the Otoo-clan, equally Matodja Gazon himself was.
Magaretha Malontie, district commissioner for the part Tapanahony has said inwards an interview amongst De Ware Tijd that the advert of the successor is kept confidential for the fourth dimension being, ‘as a sign of honour for the belatedly granman’. De Ware Tijd writes on stating, “Yet some, including hamlet elders, already know who the successor is. Gazon had chosen a candidate before his death. An oracle has indicated this person. During the ‘purblaka’ -ritual (literally ‘remove the darkness’) that marks the halt of the mourning period, the successor’s advert volition live disclosed to the public. The engagement for the ‘purblaka’ volition live laid inwards the close future.”
Samuel Forster novel paramount primary to Paramaccans
Samuel Forster (right) beingness sworn inwards past times president Ronald Venetiaan (left)
Sixty twelvemonth old Samuel Samapima Forster has taken the oath of business office equally Paramount Chief for the Paramaccan Maroons inwards Suriname. The official ceremony took identify on Sabbatum Feb 27th at the Presidential Palace inwards the working capital missive of the alphabet metropolis of Paramaribo. Suriname’s president Ronald Venetiaan was acquaint , equally were Secretary of Regional Development Michel Felisi too District Counselor RaymondLandbrug.
Forster is to grip residency at Langatabiki, from where he volition preside over 10 villages along the River Marowijne. The Paramaccan people comprise only about 2 too a one-half chiliad individuals, the bulk of whom alive inwards Suriname, spell almost 5 hundred alive inwards French-Guyana.
Samuel Samapima Forster, manful someone rear of 14 children, is a nephew of erstwhile primary January Levie too is also known past times his unofficial advert of Samuel Johannes Amoida.
The novel primary is congratulated past times secretarial assistant Michel Felisi of Regional Development. (dWTphoto / Paul San)
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