Celebrating The Caribbean: A Focus on Suriname

( by Ludmilla Wikkeling - Scott)

June 25, 2007

This month marks the second time the U.S. Congress recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. This was highlighted during the awesome reception held for the first time in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill, focusing on Suriname, one of the Caribbean's best kept secrets yet one of the most diverse countries within the CARICOM.

Why focus on Suriname?

Suriname Americans present a diversity we wanted to recognize as Suriname has its own particular culture and colloquialisms within languages, which has found its way to the United States. Opportunity was something Surinamers always looked for, particularly when they were still under Dutch Ruling, before 1975. Some migrated to the Netherlands, some came to the United States where they increased their presence over the past 30 years, making their mark particularly on the East Coast and in Florida. "Sranan Dei" one of the events held both in Miami, Tampa and New York, is probably the most visible event during which Americans can experience what Suriname is about, cultural diversity, natural resources, exquisite cuisines with historic meaning. During these events, people have the opportunity to taste the food, hear the music and see some of the talent produced in the form of our arts and crafts.

On February 14, 2006, legislation was passed to recognize the month of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month (H.Con. Res 71) yet it is very rare to find Members of Congress or their staff who know about specific countries such as Suriname, let alone that it even exists. It is for this reason that several organizations (the Caribbean Public Health Coalition, the Suriname-American Network, Inc., Fayalobi, and the Suriname League) led by Suriname-Americans got together and decided to hold a reception on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, as is commonly done with other Caribbean countries, and introduce Suriname for the first time. The reception was intended for Members and their staff, Washingtonians, other political leaders, the Caribbean Community and the Community at large and received overwhelming support from Suriname and Suriname-Americans. Suriname-Americans came from as far as San Francisco and Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Jersey. We had the honor of having our own Ms. Irma Loebman-Tobin from Suriname, who took time from her busy schedule to attend this event in between other scheduled meetings.

Suriname Our Pride:

Many Congressional offices were present at this historic event. A table displaying Suriname art using wooden craft, kotomisi dolls, paintings and items from our various ethnic groups, was attended with much curiosity, while our famous "Sabaku" magazines, provided by our SLM contact in Miami, were collected by many. Favor bags with little champagne glasses featuring jellybeans in the theme colors of our flag as well as colorful bookmarks received many accolades. Most importantly for the hungry staffers, our cuisine was so well received, rather than "tasting," all the food, prepared by Suriname-American hands (Ria Bruyne, Donovan Bryune and Ms. Martha Williams), not a crumb was left for those Members who showed up late. Although Members were tending to a full legislative schedule and constantly busy with votes, their offices were well represented with a minimum of 139 in attendance, not including those who did not sign our guest books.

Awards recognizing the community service and entrepreneurship of our own Suriname-Americans were presented to Mr. Arnold Nieuwendam of Tampa, Florida, Ms. Ernestine Burleson of Miami, Florida and Mr. Herman Wikkeling of Crockett, California for their years of service and leadership to our Suriname-American community. We recognize the responsibility we carry for generations to come by acknowledging our rich heritage and continuing to celebrate our culture. We live with the conviction that tomorrow is not promised and that the leaders among us deserve to be recognized. We represented Suriname, we stood together, from the west coast to the east coast, from the north to the south, as one, we proudly presented our rich heritage, our diversity and exquisite cuisine, we honored the leaders among us, those who carried the torch and passed it on to us and we were one. This historic day is and will continue to be one, where we show that "We na wan, We na sranan man!"