Indo-Surinamese

Indo-Surinamese are nationals of Suriname of Indian or other South Asian ancestry. After the Dutch government signed a treaty with the United Kingdom on the recruitment of contract workers, Indians began migrating to Suriname in 1873 from what was then British India as indentured labourers, mostly from the modern-day Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and the surrounding regions. Just before and just after the independence of Suriname on 25 November 1975 many Indo-Surinamese emigrated to the Netherlands.

Etymology

Indo-Surinamese are also known locally as Hindoestanen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌɦɪnduˈstaːnə(n)]), a Dutch word derived from Hindustani, a Persian / Hindi / Bhojpuri word for someone from Hindustan (India). Hence, when Indians migrated to Suriname they were referred to as Hindustanis, people from Indian origin.

During the heyday of the British Raj/Empire, many people from India were sent to other British colonies for work. After the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colony of Suriname, the Dutch were allowed by the British Raj to recruit labourers in certain parts of the North-Indian United Provinces.

Religion

The majority religion among the community is Hinduism, practiced by the majority (70%) of the people, followed by Islam and Christianity. Among the Hindus about 60% follow traditional Hinduism that they call Sanatan Dharm to differentiate themselves from the 25% who belong to the reform movement Arya Samaj, started by Dayananda Saraswati. Among the Indo-Surinamese Muslims, 60% follow Sunni Islam and 40% Ahmadiyya.

Notable Indo-Surinamese

• Errol Alibux, politician, former prime-minister of Suriname, suspect in the December murders trial
• Rabin Baldewsingh, writer, politician, deputy mayor of The Hague
• Tanja Jadnanansing, Labour Party politician
• Fareisa Joemmanbaks, model and actress
• Ricardo Kishna, football player
• Jagernath Lachmon, politician, ex-Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname
• Fred Ramdat Misier, politician
• Luciano Narsingh, Dutch footballer
• Baal Oemrawsingh, biochemist
• Rakesh Latchmansing, serial entrepreneur, author, trainer
• Prem Radhakishun, famous reporter
• Sandeep Oemraw, newspaper & TV reporter & IT guy
• Anil Ramdas, reporter
• Albert Ramdin, assistant secretary-general of the Organization of American States
• Chan Santokhi, ex-chief of police, Progressive Reform Party politician
• Ram Sardjoe, politician, ex-Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname
• Ramsewak Shankar, politician
• Badrissein Sital, ex-military officer, politician
• Aron Winter, football player
• Dasit Mane, doctor, surgeon
• Ronny Bhikharie, musician, Hindi music arranger

See also

• Indo-Caribbean
• Indians in the Netherlands
• Indian diaspora
• Indo-Guyanese

References

http://www.businessinsider.com/map-shows-how-religion-spread-around-the-world-2015-6?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=fb-video&utm_campaign=Video_FB-keywee&kwp_0=47180&kwp_4=263800&kwp_1=193166

External links

• Indian Diaspora in Suriname
• Indian Diaspora in Netherlands