1121, 1524 SURINAME - Arawak people

Surinamese beauty in amerindian cultural clothing

Posted on 27.06.2014, 12.04.2015
According to the 2012 census, only 3.7% of the population of Suriname are of indigenous ancestry, whitch means about 20,000 people. The main ethnic groups of original inhabitants can be devided into the lowland and upland ones. The lowland Amerindians are the Arawak and the Caraiben, whilst there are three groups of Amerindians who can be considered as the upland ones namely, the Wayanas, the Trioes and the Akurioe, who live mainly in the South-Eastern portion of the country. Very few of them still leading a traditional way of life, mostly being influenced by western culture.

Arawaks celebrating the International Day of the World's Indigenous People

 

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People (9 August) was first proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995-2004). In 2004, the Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade (2005-2014) with the theme of "A Decade for Action and Dignity." There was the proposal to fixed this day instead the Columbus Day, regarded by indigenous peoples rather as a day of mourning, than to feast, but the General Assembly preferred to avoid upsetting some member nations.

About the stamp
On the postcard 1121
The stamp, depicting a Grey-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus largipennis), is part of a series of 7, issued on August 24, 1977.

On the postcard 1524
The first stamp, depicting an American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea), is part of a series of 8, issued on August, 15, 2008. The second stamp, depicting a Caica Parrot (Pyrilia caica), is part of a series of 7, issued on April 27,1977.

Sender: Cheryll
1121: Sent from Paramaribo (Suriname), on 29.05.2014 
1524: Sent from Paramaribo (Suriname), on 23.01.2015