Identification of Problems and Possible Solutions in Communicating the Gospel to the Saramaccan Maroons of the Upper Suriname River By Kervin Codric Harry A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF THEOLOGY At the SOUTH AFRICAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY In 2013 SUPERVISOR: Professor Franklin Jabini The opinions expressed in this thesis do not necessary reflect the views of the South African Theological Seminary. i DECLARATION I hereby acknowledge that the work contained in this thesis is my own original work and has not previously in its entirety or in part been submitted to any other academic institution for degree purposes. Major Kervin C. Harry February 15, 2013 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I have greatly enjoyed taking the time to research this important topic. I have spent the past fourteen years working in Suriname as a missionary with The Salvation Army and have found it rewarding serving amongst various ethnic groups in Suriname. The most rewarding is the diversity of culture in that county and the richness that the Saramaccan Maroons’ culture brings to it. I am grateful for what others have written and shared with me. I am most grateful to my first supervisor, Professor Arthur Song, for his thorough, insightful and always stern approach whilst encouraging me. I am very grateful to Professor Franklin Jabini who took over supervision and for his sharp and keen guidance in helping me to complete this study. Special thanks to all interviewees and officials of the various Saramaccan villages for their hospitality. Thanks to the Librarian of the Roman Catholic Library in Suriname and to all pastors who welcomed me into their offices and homes for interviews. Special thanks to the South African Theological Seminary for allowing me the use of their library. I am indebted to two special friends, Ms Malty Dwarkersingh and Ms Miriam Samson, who from the beginning of my studies have assisted me with my research. Special thanks to Mrs. Helen Tuck for assisting with the first proof reading. My ever- patient and encouraging wife, Lucia, is also to be thanked. She herself is Surinamese and has rich experience in ministry to the Saramaccan Maroons of the beloved country of Suriname. Finally, I thank the Lord Jesus Christ who is the source and focus of the gospel that we are privileged to share with our dear Saramaccan brothers and sisters. Kervin C. Harry iii ABSTRACT The Republic of Suriname is one of the most culturally diverse countries on the continent of South America, situated on the North Eastern coast of South America. It possesses culturally rich districts and is a country that is very proud country of its heritage. There are nine Maroon tribes, who are descendants of African slaves who ran away from the plantations after being taken away from Africa during the slave-trading era. The Maroons have preserved their traditional way of life, and are fully engaged in the socio-economic development of the Republic of Suriname; in particular, it’s interior. The Saramaccan Maroons are at a spiritual crossroads. This thesis looks at “The Problems and Possible Solutions in Communicating the Gospel to the Saramaccan People of the Upper Suriname River.” This thesis will discuss the problems faced by missionaries. Among other things, this thesis will research some of the practices used by missionaries, in view of the beliefs and cultural practices of the Maroons’ society. It will suggest ways in which the gospel can be communicated effectively to the Saramaccan Maroons. The thesis looks at the local Churches and their role in working amongst the Saramaccan Maroons and considers the role of Christian workers amongst Maroons. The thesis considers the place of a theology of mission in the modern approach to communicating the gospel to the Saramaccan Maroons. The thesis addresses the issues of adequate spiritual, linguistic, and cultural preparation for missionaries, and argues that, with appropriate strategies, foreign missionaries can indeed play a part, alongside local missionaries in the task of gospel proclamation. Kervin C. Harry iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. iii ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ v TABLE OF CHARTS AND DIAGRAMS ......................................................................... v CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1 1.1 THE ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED ......................................................... 1 1.2 THE SPIRITUAL CHALLENGE ................................................................ 1 1.3 PERSONAL REASONS FOR UNDERTAKING THIS STUDY .................. 2 1.3.1 A Call to Suriname ............................................................................. 2 1.3.2 Becoming involved with the Saramaccan Maroons ............................ 2 1.4 A BRIEF HISTORY OF SURINAME ......................................................... 2 1.5 SURINAME: A MULTI-RELIGIOUS NATION ........................................... 3 1.6 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO SARAMACCAN MAROONS .................. 6 1.6.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 6 1.6.2 Religious Beliefs of the Saramaccan Maroons. .................................. 7 1.6.3 Religious Practitioners. ...................................................................... 8 1.6.4 Saramaccan Village Composition ................................................... 8 1.6.5 Polygamy, Marriage and Divorce among the Saramaccan .............. 9 1.6.6 Brief History of Religious work by Missionaries ............................ 11 1.7 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY ............................................... 13 1.7.1 Objectives .................................................................................... 13 1.7.2 Methodology ................................................................................. 13 v 1.8 SUMMARY OF PURPOSE STATEMENT .............................................. 14 CHAPTER 2. A BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION OF MISSION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CONTINUITY AND DISCONTINUITY. ............................................13 2.1 MISSIOLOGY AS THEOLOGICAL DISCIPLINE .................................... 13 2.1.1 The Theological nature of missiology ............................................... 13 2.1.2. The place of missiology within theology .......................................... 14 2.2 Missiology and Missio Dei ...................................................................... 16 2.2.1 Analysis of the Great Commission ................................................... 19 2.2.2. Missiological Conclusions ............................................................... 20 2.2.3 Trinitarian understanding of the Missio Dei ...................................... 23 2.4 THEOLOGY OF MISSION AND THE TASK OF CONTEXTUALIZING .. 25 2.4.1 Contextualization.............................................................................. 29 2.4.2 The Relevance of Paul’s Method ..................................................... 31 2.5 A BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION OF MISSION ...................................... 33 2.6 THE OLD TESTAMENT AS THE BASIS FOR MISSION ....................... 37 2.7 THE NEW TESTAMENT IS BASIC FOR MISSION ................................ 40 2.8 CONTINUITY AND DISCONTINUITY .................................................... 42 2.8.1 Continuity of aspects of African Traditional Beliefs in Christianity .... 42 2.8.2 Definition of Syncretism ................................................................... 46 2.8.3 Discontinuity of the Mission of God in African Traditional Beliefs ..... 47 2.8.4. Continuity and Discontinuity seen through the Great Commission . 48 2.8.5 Consequences of Continuity and Discontinuity ................................ 49 2.9 CONCEPT OF CULTURE ...................................................................... 51 2.9.1 The Gospel and the Cultures ........................................................... 52 2.9.2 The Cultural Motive .......................................................................... 53 2.10 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................... 56 vi CHAPTER 3: THE CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS FACING MISSION WORK AMONG THE MAROON OF THE UPPER SURINAME RIVER .......................58 3.1 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MAROONS OF THE UPPER SURINAME RIVER .......................................................................................................... 58 3.1.1The Upper Suriname River ............................................................... 58 3.1.2. Saramaccan Social Setting ............................................................. 61 3.1.3 Political Organization and Social Control ......................................... 63 3.1.4 Livelihood Strategies ........................................................................ 63 3.2. AN OVERVIEW OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION. ................... 64 3.2.1 Primary Beliefs ................................................................................. 64 3.2.2. The personal Creator –God ...........................................................