Kabiteni brings Surinamese dance and hip-hop together in powerful performance

The idea for Kabiteni arose from the desire of choreographer Lloyd Marengo and his company Lloyd’s Company to connect traditional Surinamese dance forms with hip-hop. Dancer Kevin Thompson recalled that Suriname has many different cultural dances. Ultimately, the team chose awasa, banamba and seketi, among others, as inspiration for the new production.

During a trip to Suriname, the company travelled into the interior. Through the tour company that Thompson ran with a friend, several places in Upper Suriname were visited. In Koudofii, the team spoke with residents, recorded demonstrations of dance styles and the dancers learned various steps from the local tradition.

On the way to Ananasberg, the group met Captain Georgetine Pansa. During a conversation about strength, resistance, connectedness and preserving culture, Marengo was deeply impressed by her life story. The meeting became an important starting point for Kabiteni. Back in the Netherlands, the team further explored her story and incorporated parts of it into the dance production, together with spoken word and music.

Kabiteni connects Surinamese dance with hip-hop

Angelika Naingie was chosen for the central role, a Dutch singer, poet and actress of Surinamese descent with Saamaka and Okanisi roots. The other cast members are Djinti Sullivan, Ciara Hiwat, Uhr’lice Rosario and Kevin Thompson. The performance combines traditional dance forms with hip-hop and breakdancing, creating a contemporary interpretation of stories about origin, identity and community.

The Suriname series was not only about performances. The company also organised workshops for young people aged 10 to 18. These activities took place at On Stage Performing Arts on Monseigneur Wulfingstraat, Stichting Buurtwerk Latour, Stibula and in Moengo. According to business manager Jade Schiff, the visit was intended to be an equal cultural exchange, in which the dancers shared knowledge while also learning from local Maroon groups.

Exchange with young people and local dancers

Thompson stressed that it is important to him to pass on knowledge about dance during visits to Suriname. He was previously part of Turbo Squad, took part in the Avond Vierdaagse and participated in Got Talent. He has lived in the Netherlands for several years, where he has turned his passion into his profession. In addition to dance, he is also involved in photography and film.

According to Schiff, his development can show young people in Suriname that perseverance and making use of opportunities are important, even when circumstances are not always easy. At the same time, the company does not see the workshops as a one-way exchange. The artists also wanted to learn how local dancers perform and experience the traditional styles.

Kabiteni shows how tradition, resistance and modern hip-hop can reinforce one another.

Audiences recognise culture and stories in Kabiteni

The performances on 22 and 23 August at the OSPA theatre in Paramaribo attracted considerable interest. Young people from Klaaskreek in particular, who had travelled especially to Paramaribo, responded enthusiastically. Breakdancing and hip-hop movements drew admiration, while recognisable Surinamese cultural elements also received a strong response.

The performance featured hair braiding, pangi’s, sadness at departure, joy at return and reconnecting with family and fellow villagers, among other themes. An important theme was passing on cultural knowledge to younger generations, including when children or grandchildren live abroad. Captain Georgetine herself contributed by recording audio especially for the production and singing songs. At the first performance, she also appeared with her seketi dance group as an encore.

Captain Georgetine’s story takes centre stage

The captain’s life story moved Marengo as a choreographer and hip-hop pioneer. He founded the HipHopHuis in Rotterdam and was among the creators who gave hip-hop a prominent place in theatre. He later developed his own theatre productions centred on hip-hop for many years. In 2019, Lloyd’s Company was founded to bring more structure to these productions and create new work annually.

Kabiteni grew into one of those productions. The performance combines dance, music, spoken word and stories from the Surinamese interior. More information about the production and its creators can be found at Lloyd’s Company. The Surinamese series concluded on 27 August with a performance at the Beatrix Theatre in Moengo.

Suriname series of Kabiteni concludes in Moengo

After the final performance, the dance company departed with new ideas and greater knowledge of the culture and traditions on which an important part of the production is based. According to the organisers, the meeting with local dancers, young people and communities made clear that cultural exchange is not only about performing, but also about listening, learning and maintaining ties with Suriname.

The production aligns with broader efforts to keep Surinamese cultural heritage visible. Key News also regularly covers initiatives relating to culture and traditions. More reports can be found in the Art, Culture, Literature and Entertainment section. The performances of Kabiteni in Suriname were made possible in part by Fonds Podiumkunsten, the Cultuurfonds and the Municipality of Rotterdam.