Why Suriname Has Always Fascinated Me

 

Many people outside the Netherlands have never heard of Suriname.

And when I tell them that my mother was born there, the first question is often:

"Where is Suriname?"

Suriname is a country located on the northeastern coast of South America. It borders Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil and is known for its tropical rainforests, rivers and cultural diversity.

What makes Suriname unique is that it is the only independent country in South America where Dutch is the official language.

For me, Suriname is more than just a country on a map.

My mother was born in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. When she was eight years old, she moved to the Netherlands. Because of her, Suriname has always been part of my story, even though I have never visited the country myself.

A Country With A Unique History

For many years, Suriname was a Dutch colony.

During that time, people from different parts of the world arrived in Suriname and helped shape the country into what it is today.

The first inhabitants were the Indigenous peoples who lived there long before Europeans arrived.

During the colonial period, enslaved Africans were brought to Suriname to work on plantations. Their descendants became an important part of Surinamese society and culture.

When slavery was abolished in 1863, plantation owners needed workers. As a result, people from other parts of the world came to Suriname.

Many Hindustani people arrived from British India as contract workers. Today, they form one of the largest communities in Suriname. As someone with Hindustani roots, this part of Surinamese history feels especially personal to me.

Javanese people came from what is now Indonesia and brought their own traditions, language and food.

Chinese immigrants arrived as workers and later became successful traders and business owners.

People from Europe, including the Netherlands, also settled in Suriname.

All these groups helped build the Suriname we know today.

A Beautiful Mix Of Cultures

One of the things I find most fascinating about Suriname is how many cultures live together.

You can see it everywhere: in the food, the music, the celebrations, the religions and everyday life.

It is one of the most multicultural countries in the world.

That diversity is something I find beautiful.

The Food

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Surinamese food.

From roti and chicken dishes to spicy sauces and comforting home-cooked meals, Surinamese cuisine is one of my favourites.

I would love to taste authentic Surinamese food in Suriname itself one day.

The People

Whenever I meet Surinamese people, I often notice how warm, friendly and welcoming they are.

There is a sense of humour, positivity and togetherness that I really enjoy.

That is one of the reasons why I feel drawn to the country, even though I have never been there.

The Nature

Another reason I want to visit Suriname is the nature.

Around ninety percent of the country is covered by tropical rainforest.

There are rivers, wildlife, waterfalls and beautiful landscapes that look completely different from what I see in the Netherlands.

As someone who loves animals and nature, that is something I would love to experience.

More Than A Holiday

For many people, Suriname may simply be a country in South America.

For me, it is something much more personal.

It is the country where my mother was born.

It is a place connected to my family history, my roots and my curiosity about where part of my story began.

I want to walk through Paramaribo, learn more about the country's history, experience the culture, taste the food and discover a part of myself that I have not yet explored.

Hopefully one day that dream will become reality.

And when it does, I will definitely share the journey here on Miss La Diva.

Love,

Shavida