Indo-Surinamese

Indo-Surinamese भारतीय सूरीनाम
Regions with significant populations
Suriname (Paramaribo, Nickerie, Wanica, Commewijne) · Netherlands · United States · United Kingdom
Languages
Dutch, Sranan Tongo, Caribbean Hindustani, other Indian languages
Religion
Hinduism, Islam,
Roman Catholicism and Protestantism
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Aryan peoples

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 by the Dutch term Hindoestanen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌɦɪnduˈstaːnə(n)]), derived from the word Hindustani, lit., "someone from Hindustan" (India).[1] Hence, when Indians migrated to Suriname they were referred to as Hindustanis, people of 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 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

See also

References

  1. ↑ van der Zeijden, Albert (1990). De cultuurgeschiedenis van de dood. Rodopi. p. 154. ISBN 9789051832167.

External links


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