Saramaccan, Matawari in Suriname

The Saramaccan, Matawari have only been reported in Suriname
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

There are six subgroups of the Saramaccan peoples, one of which is the Matawari. Their ancestors were escaped African slaves of the Dutch colonialists in the 1600s-1700s. Later the Dutch eliminated slavery. The Saramaccan set up their own communities in the jungles where they grew corn, okra, beans, plantains and peanuts. The men hunted and fished to provide meat to their diet. They raided Dutch settlements and fortified their communities for protection. They forced the Dutch to set up a peace treaty with them. Even then their land was sometimes overrun by gold miners.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today the various Saramaccan communities, including the Matawari, face challenges. The government of Suriname allowed a Chinese logging company to use their land without their permission and without offering compensation.
The Matawari Saramaccan people retain some of their customs held over by their African ancestors. For example, they came from a tribe that is matrilineal, so that is their custom. Because she has higher economic status, a woman might have three houses.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Matawari Saramaccan people have a Christian influence in their communities, but most of them practice traditional African religion.


What Are Their Needs?

These communities need protection from those who wish to exploit their land. Their ability to bargain or fight for their rights have waxed and waned through the centuries.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to guide and protect the Matawari Saramaccan people in the years to come.
Pray for culturally sensitive Christ followers to take the only savior to their communities, teaching them his ways.
Pray for disciples who will make more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Saramaccan, Matawari in Suriname.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saramaka
https://www.ontheshoulders1.com/the-giants/the-saramaka-people#/
https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/saramaka-people-v-suriname-human-rights-victory-and-its-messy-aftermath
https://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2013/06/saramaka-saramaccan-people-fearless.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Saramaccan, Matawari
People Name in Country Saramaccan, Matawari
Pronunciation sara-MAH-kun mah-tah-WAH-ree
Alternate Names Mirandesa
Population this Country 1,400
Population all Countries 1,400
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 19014
ROP3 Code 114941
ROP25 Code 305267
ROP25 Name Matawari
Country Suriname
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Brokopondo district: Brownsweg, Centrum, Klasskreek, and Kwakoegron, communes, small border area; Para district: Bigi Poika commune; Paramaribo district; Sipaliwini district: Boven Saramaccan and Boven Suriname communes.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Suriname
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Brokopondo district: Brownsweg, Centrum, Klasskreek, and Kwakoegron, communes, small border area; Para district: Bigi Poika commune; Paramaribo district; Sipaliwini district: Boven Saramaccan and Boven Suriname communes..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
8.00 %
Ethnic Religions
92.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Saramaccan (1,400 speakers)
Language Code srm   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Matawari
Dialect Code 16341   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Saramaccan (1,400 speakers)
Language Code srm   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Matawari
Dialect Code 16341   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Saramaccan
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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