The Political Organization of Maroon Communities in Suriname H.R.M. Libretto Translated from Dutch by Kenneth Bilby Maroons are descendants of Mricans forced basis of the relationship between the central gov­ to labor on plantations who escaped and, by wag­ ernment and the traditional Maroon authorities, ing guerilla wars in the 17th and 18th centuries, stipulated that the Maroons could move freely in succeeded in forming relatively independent the area they then occupied. They were, howev­ tribes* in the interior. Mter signing treaties with er, without legal title to the,land. The territory of the colonial rulers, the Maroons, also known as a tribe forms a unitary expanse of land, but is Bush Negroes, were able to build societies undis­ usually situated along a number of river basins. turbed, drawing upon their Mrican heritage. Although it is certain that not all Maroons The number of Maroons living in tribal soci­ had matrilineal origins, a system of matrilineal eties is presently estimated at 45,000, divided descent is practiced generally. among the following tribes: In each tribe, the government consists of the 1. Saramaka ( Saamaka) following: 2. Aukaners (Ndjuka or Okanisi) 1. A tribal or paramount chief ( Gaanman, 3. Matuwari (Matawai) Gaama) 4. Paramaka (Paamaka) 2. A number of head chiefs (Ede Kabiteni) 5. Aluku or Boni 3. A number of village chiefs (Kabiteni) The tribes took their names from the regions 4. A number of male and female under­ where they initially settled or from the name of a officers (Basia) chief. The territory of each tribe is bounded by The designation and installation of these officials mountains, rivers, watersheds and forests. takes place according to Maroon tradition. The tribes are comprised of subtribes (matri­ Mter installation, each official, upon recom­ lineal clans or lo) that have established one or mendation, is appointed by the Surinamese gov­ more villages. The persons of a sub tribe feel ernment. He or she then becomes eligible for an bound together through ties of kinship and com­ allowance, an official uniform, and a variety of munity history that go back to the formative peri­ other compensations. od of marronage. In that period of warfare certain persons The Gaanman (Paramount Chief) emerged as leaders with military qualities. The The Gaanman, an individual who stands for chief or Gaanman of a tribe would originate from his entire tribe, exclusively controls relations the military leader's subtribe. Among the Sara­ with the central government and thus represents maka, this is the Matjau clan, and among the the tribe externally. The tribal chief nominates Ndjuka, the Oto clan. lower officials for appointment by the govern­ The colonial treaties, which still form the ment. He is the head of a tribal assembly. Because of the importance of his role, the Gaan- H.R.M. Libretto is District Commissioner of the Sipaliwini District, the administrative division that encompasses the *Editor's note: As this essay illustrates, the word "tribe" implies an interior of Suriname, where most of the Maroon villages are administrative unit. It specifies the corporateness of a group- the located. An expert in customary law and government, he is rights and duties of the members of the group as a whole - from a the author ofHet Gezags- en Bestuurssysteem in het governmental point of view. Tribe is not necessarily a cultural unit, and when describing distinct groups, as in Mrica and elsewhere, most Binnenland van Suriname (The System of Authority and writers now use the term "ethnic group" to indicate the group's dis­ Government in the Interior of Suriname) . tinct social ?r cultural identity in a multi-ethnic nation-state. MAROON CULTURES 65 Gaama Song6, Paramount Chief of the Saramaka Maroons, receives a gift from Festival curators at his headquarters in Asind66po, Suriname. One of his under-officers formally presents the gift to him. Photo by Diana Baird N'Diaye man is released from the mourning obligations female Basia's responsibility is restricted to inCumbent upon other members of his com­ domestic activities during ceremonial occasions. munity. In this society, women have a subordinate role. All officials are appointed for life. The Ede Kabiteni (Head Chief) The Ede Kabiteni represents the Gaanman, Administration of Justice the supreme authority, in supervising the admin­ Among all Maroon societies, the jural system istration of a specified territory. Usually, a village is nearly the same. Each tribe creates its own chief is elevated to the office of head chief by body of laws in the course of tribal councils. Jus­ virtue of his administrative abilities. tice is based on unwritten rules and is not devised exclusively by persons occupying official The Kabiteni (Village Chief) positions. In actuality, elders, other respected The village chief wields authority over a vil­ persons and family councils dispense justice. The lage on behalf of the paramount chief. Villages reaching of a verdict, which always takes place are represented externally, as units, by the during a meeting (kuutu), is always public. The Kabiteni, who has a decisive voice in all delibera­ suspect is not present during the trial but is rep­ tions except those occurring in tribe-wide assem­ resented by a family member or other advocate. blies. Conflicts between families are settled by family councils. All conflicts, transgressions and minor The Basia (Under-Officer) offenses are settled according to tribal custom. The Basia assists the higher officials in the Serious crimes such as murder are handed over carrying out of all ritual and administrative mat­ to the central government. Finally, it should be ters. The Basia's principal duty is to act as town mentioned that a chiefs house offers temporary crier and maintainer of order. The sphere of a asylum to all transgressors and accused persons. 66 MAROON CULTURES .