Two candidates have been proposed so far for the position of granman within the Bakabusi Nengre community. On Saturday, November 2, members of this Maroon tribe held a gran krutu (a large meeting) at Plantation Rorac, their historical settlement. The meeting aimed to exchange ideas about appointing a granman, a leadership position that has been vacant for decades.
The last granman of the Bakabusi Nengre was Johannes Babel, who served from 1880 to 1917. Konrad Acton, chairman of the descendants of Plantation Rorac, represented by the Belangen Vereniging Rorac (Rorac Interest Association), described the meeting as a success. He noted the presence of various bere’s, lo’s, and kondre’s (clans and communities).
“The people are pleased. We discussed the developments of the past ten years and acknowledged that the journey has not been easy,” Acton said. He emphasized that appointing a granman is a necessity. “We’ve learned a lot, including that appointing a granman doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a significant amount of groundwork.”
The Bakabusi Nengre’s efforts are supported by other Maroon groups. Acton remarked, “Under the inspiring leadership of the granman of the Aucaners’ office, I believe we are 75 percent on the right track.”
High turnout and next steps
Acton expressed satisfaction with the turnout on November 2. “It could have been better, but we are content.” He explained that the preparations for the gran krutu went well, and for a first-time event, it was a success.
The next steps include further consultation with the oracles regarding candidates proposed for the positions of chief captain, fiscal officer, and granman. “Currently, two candidates for granman have been identified—one nominated by the tribe and another by the oracles,” Acton explained.
He noted that granman Babel once resided in Tout Lui Faut, formerly known as Landskanaal and colloquially referred to as Granman Dyari. “Since his tenure, there has been no other granman. Rebuilding the structure and reuniting everyone is a new process.”
Challenges and aspirations
While villages like Pikin Maaisie and Drepada have maintained their traditional systems and continue to hold krutu’s, the process of reunifying the Bakabusi Nengre and electing a granman is novel. Acton explained that parts of the tribe had integrated into other Maroon groups, such as the Matawai, Aucaners, Paamaka, and Saamaka.
The Bakabusi Nengre community can be found in areas like Pikin Maasi (Santigron), Dreypada, the Babel families in Saamaka, Landveld in Abadukondre, Babels of Orleanekreek (Commewijne), Simonspolder, and Accaribo. A significant group also settled near Molenpad and Koningstraat, where the renowned Babel Dyari was located, after bauxite was discovered at Rorac. Over time, members of the tribe dispersed across various locations and plantations.
Acton highlighted that the Bakabusi Nengre were among the first Maroon groups to form but were the last to make peace with the colonial government. He concluded by stressing the importance of documenting Suriname’s history from within. “Our task is to write our own Surinamese history since much of what we know is shaped by external narratives.”
He expressed gratitude for the recognition already granted to the tribe by the government. Previous discussions have taken place with the Ministry of Regional Development and Sport (ROS), the National Assembly, the Office of the President, and the Vice President’s Office.
