CULTURE
Several
Amerindian languages are spoken such as Arowak, which belong to
the Arowak language group, and Carib, Oayana and Akurio which
belong to the Carib language group. The structure of the Amerindian
societies is relatively simple. The only division of labor is
between men en women. Part-time specialists are the village head
and the piai (shaman). With the exception of the matrilineal Arowak,
the system of skipship is bilineal. Many spirits play an important
role in their vision of live. The pottery and wickerwork are striking.
The
six Maroon tribes were formed under identical circumstances. Nevertheless,
they vary in their language and culture in such way that a distinction
can be made between the Saramakas, Matawais and Kwintis of central
Suriname on one hand and the Ndjukas, Paramakas and Alukus of
eastern Suriname on the other. Every tribe is subdivided into
a number of matrilineal, mostly exogenous, lo (clans) that are
composed of bere (unilinial skinship groups). The granman is assisted
by head captains, captains and basjas (assistants to the village
heads). The tribes worship an Upper God, pantheons of gods and
their ancestors. Their woodcarving is distinctive.
