Suriname: A Diversity in the Caribbean Diversity
$74.50
Jack Menke
Abstract
The paper analyzes the evolution of Suriname in the context of Caribbean societies where the formation of the state preceded the nation according to a monocultural colonial perspective of development. After criticizing the eurocentric myth of the culturally homogeneous nation state that was transplanted from Europe to the Caribbean, the social construction of the culturally diverse nation is dealt with. The eurocentric perspective on the history of Suriname is counterbalanced by analyzing the evolution of this culturally diverse nation, populated by people originating from various parts of the world. Based on a variety of sources – such as censuses, memorials and public holidays – it is explained why “ethnicity” rather than “race” became a principal classification principle in the society. Contrary to the eurocentric concept of nation-building the concept of nation-creation is introduced, that refers to the collective efforts of cultural groups in the society to develop a nation based on solidarity, mutual respect and a harmonic interaction between groups and their cultural attributes. The process of nation-creation portrays the diversity of the Surinamese society as a harmonic amalgamation of different cultures, and guarantees at the same time the recognition of equal rights of these cultures, rather than replicating the eurocentric monocultural model.
Jack Menke
Abstract
The paper analyzes the evolution of Suriname in the context of Caribbean societies where the formation of the state preceded the nation according to a monocultural colonial perspective of development. After criticizing the eurocentric myth of the culturally homogeneous nation state that was transplanted from Europe to the Caribbean, the social construction of the culturally diverse nation is dealt with. The eurocentric perspective on the history of Suriname is counterbalanced by analyzing the evolution of this culturally diverse nation, populated by people originating from various parts of the world. Based on a variety of sources – such as censuses, memorials and public holidays – it is explained why “ethnicity” rather than “race” became a principal classification principle in the society. Contrary to the eurocentric concept of nation-building the concept of nation-creation is introduced, that refers to the collective efforts of cultural groups in the society to develop a nation based on solidarity, mutual respect and a harmonic interaction between groups and their cultural attributes. The process of nation-creation portrays the diversity of the Surinamese society as a harmonic amalgamation of different cultures, and guarantees at the same time the recognition of equal rights of these cultures, rather than replicating the eurocentric monocultural model.