Songs In A Strange Land

Dates

2022 - Ongoing
Author

Michelle Piergoelam
Location Rotterdam, Netherlands

Songs In A Strange Land (Code language used in Suriname during slavery): is part of an ongoing project that visualizes the stories of hope and resilience, and the ways in which these traditions allow us to glimpse at the years of slavery.

The rivers of Suriname, on the rivers of Suriname

Sailed the enslaved with their ships. They rowed and saw the sun set below the horizon, the moon’s reflections ripple on the water

The rivers of Suriname, on the rivers of Suriname

They transported trade goods into town, surrounded by the scent of coffee and tabacco, they made their way through the current

The rivers of Suriname, on the rivers of Suriname

They sang a melodic sequence of call and response. Their songs of resilience and sorrow broke the silence of the night

On these rivers of Suriname

Dawn brought them hope for better lives and their songs still echo on the rhythm of the water

© Michelle Piergoelam - Image from the Songs In A Strange Land photography project

The song could also be addressed to ancestors or gods and spirits. That is why, especially in earlier times, the Watramama, the mermaid-like water goddess, who lived at the bottom of the rivers, was one of the most important religious powers.

The enslaved in the field, the rowing slaves used to sing during their labor. One of them acted as a cantor, the so-called 'trokiman', who also struck the rhythm with his oar on the water.

Strange as it may sound, rowing a tent boat was one of the many occasions the enslaved people took advantage of to sing together. This also happened, for instance, when the enslaved had to process (stomp) the harvested coffee beans, to pit the cotton.

The songs often contained all kinds of comments about enslaved lives, or specifically about (mis)behaviour of the plantation owner who - at that moment - was sitting in the deckhouse.

the enslaved sang a repetition or a chorus after each verse, giving it a typical African call-and-response song structure.

the Watramama, the mermaid-like water goddess, who lived at the bottom of the rivers, was one of the most important religious powers who should be stayed in good spirit.

The rivers of Suriname were used to transport all kinds of goods to the city such as coffee, tobacco, cocoa and cane sugar.

In that time Suriname roads were unknown, except for Paramaribo. All plantations were built along rivers because that area had the most fertile soil. This meant that the rivers and creeks formed the roads. All transport took place by water.

The songs were sung using a call-and-response technique where one person takes the lead and the rest respond. It was a new way to create cultural elements and feel empowered.

The rivers of Suriname were used to transport all kinds of goods to the city such as coffee, tobacco, cocoa and cane sugar.

Songs In A Strange Land

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