Suriname’s Ministry of Regional Development (RO) was also represented. A delegation led by Hermien Pavion, director of the Directoraat Agrarische Ontwikkeling Binnenland (DAOB, Directorate for Agricultural Development of the Interior), took part in the two-day festival.
This year’s theme was ‘The meeting of the Busi Kondé Sama peoples of Suriname and French Guiana’. Various activities reflected on the shared history, cultural identity and future of Maroon communities on both sides of the border.
During the event, Pavion explained the work of the two directorates within the ministry that deal with the development of Maroon communities. She emphasised the importance of cooperation with local communities and cultural organisations to promote both the development of the interior and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Awards for contributions to cultural preservation
An important part of the first festival day was the presentation of the Gaanman Gazon Matodja Award. The distinction was awarded by the Marron Instituut and Stichting Sabanapeti, led by André Pakosie, to the organisation Lavi Danbwa, Annie Ho You Fat and Professor Jean Moomau.
Ho You Fat received the distinction for her long-standing commitment as a teacher and her contribution to passing on cultural knowledge to young people. Professor Moomau was honoured for his work in education, knowledge transfer and academic publications. Among other things, he has written about the border issue between Suriname and French Guiana.
The organisation Lavi Danbwa, which is responsible for the festival, also received recognition for its efforts to make the shared culture of Maroon communities visible and preserve it.
Traditional dance and attire take centre stage
In addition to the awards, the festival provided space for further exploration of the history and traditions of the Maroon communities. Cultural expert André Pakosie gave a presentation on the historical background of various traditional dance forms. He discussed, among other things, the Fosten Peé of six lo’s and the origins of the Songe, which he said emerged from the Awassa dance. The Asekiti, which is danced within the Saamaka community, and the Bandja were also discussed. The different dance forms and their historical significance were explained using images and video material.
The second festival day began with traditional Apintidrum. Pakosie then gave a lecture on the attire of the Maroon communities. During a discussion entitled ‘Businengee Kosi’, participants further exchanged views on cultural subjects.
Festival grows into a regional meeting platform
The Busi Kondé Sama Festival was founded in 2017 in Cayenne by the organisation Lavi Danbwa. The name literally means ‘Forest Dwellers’. The initiative arose to raise greater awareness of the way of life, traditions and cultural practices of Maroon communities in the interior of French Guiana. Initially, the festival focused mainly on communities along the Marowijne, Lawa and Oyapock rivers. The event has since developed into a regional platform for cultural awareness, knowledge exchange and the promotion of cultural diversity within the Guiana Shield.
For the Ministry of Regional Development, participation in the festival offers an opportunity to maintain and further expand existing contacts with Maroon communities and cultural organisations in French Guiana. The emphasis is not only on preserving traditions, but also on the role that cultural identity, knowledge transfer and cross-border cooperation can play in the sustainable development of Suriname’s interior.
