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Granman
Granman (Ndyuka language: gaanman) is the title of the paramount chief of a Maroon nation in Suriname and French Guiana. The Ndyuka, Saramaka, Matawai, Aluku, Paramaka and Kwinti nations all have a granman. The paramount chiefs of Amerindian peoples in Suriname are nowadays also often called “granman”.
The word comes from the Sranan Tongo language, a creole spoken in Suriname, and is derived from grand + man meaning "most important man." Granman was also used for the governors of Suriname. The word can be used in combination with other words: granman-oso (big man house) is the Presidential Palace.
The paramount chief of a tribe is the granman. Below the granman are the kabitens (captains) followed by the basiyas (aldermen). The stam lanti consists of all the kabitens and basiyas who meet at least once a year under the authority of the granman and decide the policy for the entire tribe.
A village has a lo lanti (council) consisting of the kabitens and basiyas of the village who are advised by a council of elders. The lo lanti acts as the local government. In case of important decisions, the whole village participates (krutu) and a decision is taken on the basis of consensus.
Government is based on unwritten rules and regulations called gwenti which are not all powerful. If decision cannot be reached, a lanti krutu (general meeting) is called consisting of the village elite and the priests. The meeting is chaired by the granman who does not speak directly to the people, but always via a momboor who speaks on his behalf. The granman may not be addressed directly either. All villagers are allowed to participate regardless of age or gender, however the elderly carry the highest weight.
Once a year, the granman and his kabitens have to present themselves at the Government in Paramaribo.
The granman is normally chosen from the same lo (maternal group) and therefore a son can never succeed his father. The successor is chosen from the cousins on the maternal side. The succession is a lengthy process. More than a year must pass before the rituals and ceremonies are performed, and a successor is chosen by the people.
Basiyas and kabitens were normally chosen by the tribe, however political appointments have increased in frequency. The issue has caused diplomatic rifts in the past. In Augustus 1965, before the independence of Suriname, Prime-minister Pengel travelled to Diitabiki to install Gazon Matodya as the new granman, because Gazon was the most likely candidate, and Akontu Velanti had died one year ago. The visit was not appreciated, because the Ndyuka had to choose their own leader, and it was still too early to make a decision. Gazon was also of the opinion that the inauguration ought to be performed by Governor de Vries on behalf of Queen Juliana.
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Granman AI simulator
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Granman
Granman (Ndyuka language: gaanman) is the title of the paramount chief of a Maroon nation in Suriname and French Guiana. The Ndyuka, Saramaka, Matawai, Aluku, Paramaka and Kwinti nations all have a granman. The paramount chiefs of Amerindian peoples in Suriname are nowadays also often called “granman”.
The word comes from the Sranan Tongo language, a creole spoken in Suriname, and is derived from grand + man meaning "most important man." Granman was also used for the governors of Suriname. The word can be used in combination with other words: granman-oso (big man house) is the Presidential Palace.
The paramount chief of a tribe is the granman. Below the granman are the kabitens (captains) followed by the basiyas (aldermen). The stam lanti consists of all the kabitens and basiyas who meet at least once a year under the authority of the granman and decide the policy for the entire tribe.
A village has a lo lanti (council) consisting of the kabitens and basiyas of the village who are advised by a council of elders. The lo lanti acts as the local government. In case of important decisions, the whole village participates (krutu) and a decision is taken on the basis of consensus.
Government is based on unwritten rules and regulations called gwenti which are not all powerful. If decision cannot be reached, a lanti krutu (general meeting) is called consisting of the village elite and the priests. The meeting is chaired by the granman who does not speak directly to the people, but always via a momboor who speaks on his behalf. The granman may not be addressed directly either. All villagers are allowed to participate regardless of age or gender, however the elderly carry the highest weight.
Once a year, the granman and his kabitens have to present themselves at the Government in Paramaribo.
The granman is normally chosen from the same lo (maternal group) and therefore a son can never succeed his father. The successor is chosen from the cousins on the maternal side. The succession is a lengthy process. More than a year must pass before the rituals and ceremonies are performed, and a successor is chosen by the people.
Basiyas and kabitens were normally chosen by the tribe, however political appointments have increased in frequency. The issue has caused diplomatic rifts in the past. In Augustus 1965, before the independence of Suriname, Prime-minister Pengel travelled to Diitabiki to install Gazon Matodya as the new granman, because Gazon was the most likely candidate, and Akontu Velanti had died one year ago. The visit was not appreciated, because the Ndyuka had to choose their own leader, and it was still too early to make a decision. Gazon was also of the opinion that the inauguration ought to be performed by Governor de Vries on behalf of Queen Juliana.