they were among the first peoples of the Americas to gain independence from colonial
control. These treaties enabled Maroon peoples to live a relatively independent existence
well into the twentieth century. 20 The Panel notes that not all Maroon tribes were formed
at the same time, or agree on claims to land.
In the mid-1980s under Suriname’s de facto military regime, some Maroons fought the
National Army in what is known as “the interior war”, during which time they became
victims of state-led massacres, violence and repression. A decade of conflict had a serious
detrimental effect on the social infrastructure of the interior and today they are amongst
the poorest members of Suriname society. 21 Having occupied land in the interior of the
country for almost three centuries, Maroons maintain culturally distinct languages,
institutions, rituals, laws, and customs. As tribal peoples, Maroons enjoy the same rights as
indigenous peoples under international law, according the Inter-American Court of Human
Rights.
According to census data, Maroons comprise approximately 22 percent of Suriname’s
population, and their population is increasing at a faster rate than other demographic
groups.22 The Pamaka is one of the smaller tribes, representing five percent of the Maroon
population. About half of all Surinamese Maroons live on their tribal lands, with limited
support from the state by way of services or infrastructure. The rest of the Maroon
population lives in other parts of the country or abroad, including in French Guyana and the
Netherlands. Many Maroons left Suriname during the interior war (1986-1992). Others left
as economic migrants, many of whom send remittances to family members who continue to
reside in Suriname.
There are approximately 1200 people in the Merian project’s area of influence, most of
whom are Pamakan, living in kin or family groups where matrilineal descent is the dominant
principle of social organization. As with other Maroon tribes, the Pamaka are organized into
clans, with families falling into various lineage groups. All six of Suriname’s Maroon tribes
maintain their own distinct form of traditional administration and a self-governing authority.
The highest traditional authority is the Granman, or the tribal chief, with a supporting
cabinet of Captains and spiritual leaders. The Panel was advised that the Pamaka’s
incumbent Granman suffers from a range of complex health issues and does not reside in
the area. The krutu, or village assembly, is the primary locus of decision-making. The
Captains and Head Captains are tasked with carrying forward and externally representing
decisions taken during the krutu.
20
There is no record of the Pamaka having signed a Treaty with the Government of Suriname.
See: http://minorityrights.org/minorities/maroons/
22
Price, R. (2013) Research Note: The Maroon population explosion: Suriname and Guyane. New
West Indian Guide, 87, p. 323-327.
21
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