Photos of Maroon Villages in Sipaliwini, Suriname

Sipaliwini is the largest district of Suriname, located in the south, and larger than the other 9 districts of Suriname put together. Most of it is virgin jungle, and home to mainly Amerindian and Maroon villages. Pokigron, 184 kilometres south of Paramaribo, is the last village accessible by road; from there, the landing of Atjoni, it is by motorised canoe on the Upper Suriname river to the Maroon villages further south.

The journey goes past the villages of Abenaston and Kajapaati to Jaw Jaw; opposite that village is Isadou, a small holiday with tourist accommodation. Not far further south is Gunsi, a transmigration village, that originated after the construction of the dam in the Brokopondo Reservoir in 1963. It is inhabited by about 70 Saramacca Maroon people and has a wonderful resort named Tei Wei, with 13 cabins constructed from traditional materials. A great place to experience life in a Maroon village and trips on the river.

Further south is Kajana (also spelled Cajana and Kayana), a Maroon village of about 200 inhabitants; it has an airstrip, so it can be reached by small plane as well. There is tourist accommodation in Kosindo River Lodge in the village itself and, a few kilometres upstream, in Awarradam Jungle Lodge.