The bustling Suriname festival

During the time Suriname was still a European colony, people from all over the world flocked to this land in search of a new life. The only asset they brought with them was their native culture.

It is the immigrant communities that have given Suriname a cultural identity that is both familiar and unfamiliar. One of the best ways to learn about the unique aspects of Surinamese culture is to participate in their festivals.

People in Suriname dance and carry floats during the carnival.

The festival year in Suriname begins with the carnival in February. Migrants from Brazil brought their traditional masquerade and parades to Suriname.

During the week-long festival, people temporarily forget the troubles and annoyances of everyday life to immerse themselves in the parade of brightly dressed people.

Besides the carnival, there is also a smaller parade called Avondvierdaagse. This event originated in the Netherlands and takes place over four days in April. Each day, the parade follows a different route.

The Javanese community in Suriname is quite large, so many Javanese festivals are also held in Suriname.

Notably, there is the Bodo festival, a time for Muslim families to gather for prayer and celebration. Adults give children monetary gifts, and everyone participates in torch processions. Housewives showcase their culinary skills by preparing many delicious dishes, especially sweets, which are only available during the Bodo festival.

Locals and tourists who are not Muslim can still celebrate this holiday or participate in personal and communal activities.

The Keti Koti festival is celebrated annually on June 30th and July 1st to commemorate the official end of slavery in Suriname. Black slaves spent decades fighting against the Dutch colonial government to regain their freedom in 1863.

Keti Koti is now a national holiday in Suriname, and the two days of the festival feature numerous parades, marathons, concerts, and art exhibitions taking place in the streets.

One of the ways Black slaves in Suriname fought for their freedom was by gathering in the streets on New Year's Eve to sing and dance. This is the origin of the Pagara Estafette New Year's Eve party.

During this time, every city in Suriname transforms into a music stage. Restaurants and cafes set up tables and chairs spilling out onto the streets, yet there's still not enough space.

The festival begins in the early afternoon and becomes increasingly lively as night approaches. The highlight of Pagara Estafette is the fireworks display. The people of Suriname light long strings of red fireworks, meters in length, rivaling the Chinese tradition of setting off fireworks during the Lunar New Year.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ron-rang-le-hoi-suriname-697468.html