People in between: the Matawai Maroons of Suriname

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Acknowledgments

The fieldwork which forms the basis of this study lasted almost two years and was carried out between November 1972 and December 1974. Financial support for the research was provided by the Netherlands Foundation for the Scientific Study of the Tropics (WOTRO) (W 51-72). We are glad to express our thanks to the WOTRO officials who made this research possible.

We are indebted to Prof. J. Voorhoeve and Cynthia Rosenblat who initiated us in Sranan tongo. Hesdy Zamuel, who studied at that time in Utrecht, taught us some basic knowledge of the Matawai language. Prof. A. Trouwborst kindly shared with us the results of his preliminary research in Matawai.

During our stay in Suriname many people were helpful and stimulated us in our research. In the first place we would like to mention the names of the former President of Suriname, Dr. J.H.E. Ferrier and his wife. We appreciate their interest in our work. Thanks is also due to Dr. Ir. J. Ruinard for the pleasant and effective way he fulfilled his task as WOTRO representative. Gary and Rosemary Brana-Shute, Salle and Corrie Kroonenberg, Rob and Annet van Lissa and Bisoen Bihari were helpful in various ways. Wim Hoogbergen assisted us in the collection of data of a sample of young migrants and in archival work. Mrs. Themen provided assistence when we worked in the Landsarchief, both in 1974 and in the summer of 1976.

Bonno Thoden van Velzen supervised our research from the early stage of planning our fieldwork to the final stage of writing. His passion for Bush Negro societies has proved to be contagious. We much

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appreciate his patient encouragement. Henk Heeren made an invaluable contribution by his diligent reading of the manuscript and his suggestions have greatly improved the composition of the book. Richard and Sally Price's careful studies on different aspects of Saramaka society have influenced our study of the neighbouring Matawai more than can be indicated. We also thank them for generously sharing their archival sources and profound knowledge of Maroon societies with us. We further owe acknowledgement to various people who read and commented on drafts of some chapters, and in particular Gila Walker and Rosemary Brana-Shute who both contributed to the improvement of the English text and whose editorial suggestions were invaluable. Part of the typing was done by Kootje van Spanje. We are greatly indebted to our parents who encouraged and supported us throughout all stages of our research.

As in all ethnographic work we owe most to the Matawai. We highly appreciate their generosity and the way in which they were willing to share their experiences with us. It is to them that we dedicate this book.