Belfon Aboikoni

Belfon Aboikoni (31 January 1938 – 24 June 2014) was granman of the Saramaka maroons in Suriname.[1] Aboikoni was sworn in as chief of the Saramaka, one of Suriname's Maroon peoples, in October 2005 at the age of 65.[1] He succeeded the late chief Songo Aboikoni who died two years earlier.[1] Belfon Aboikoni focused on land rights during his time as chief.[1]

Belfon Aboikoni
Gaanman of the Saramaka people
Reign2005 – 2014
PredecessorSongo
SuccessorAlbert Aboikoni
Born(1938-01-31)31 January 1938
Dangogo, Boven Suriname, Surinam
Died24 June 2014(2014-06-24) (aged 76)
Paramaribo, Suriname

Biography

Aboikoni was born on 31 January 1938 in Dangogo.[2] [3] Aboikoni was well-disposed to the Netherlands and had portraits of Dutch Queens in his residence.[4]

His appointment as granman was accomplished by the government, which was contrary to the tradition of the Saramaka community.[5] The appointment therefore led to disagreement and degenerated in March 2006 in his abduction for a few days by his own family members. Aboikoni remained in Paramaribo for some time, even when the floods of May 2006 hit his home area. In response, he indicated that he was best placed to defend his people from the capital[4][6]

Chief Belfon Aboikoni died on 24 June 2014, at the age of 76.[1] He had suffered from diabetes and declining health.[1]

Later, after his death, he was praised for the role he had played in the Saramaka judgement.[7]

References
  1. "Grootopperhoofd Aboikoni ingeslapen". Starnieuws Suriname. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  2. "President krijgt uitnodiging voor Liemba wiwie". Suriname.nu (in Dutch). 19 March 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  3. "Starnieuws - Grootopperhoofd Aboikoni ingeslapen". www.starnieuws.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  4. verslaggever, Van onze (19 May 2006). "God heeft Suriname schoongespoeld". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  5. Tijd, De Ware. "Delen van de Matjaw lo van de stam der Saramaccaners waarschuwen de regering voor". Suriname Nieuws - gratis app (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  6. Paramaribo (25 June 2014). "Grootopperhoofd Saramaccaners overleden". Waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  7. "Starnieuws - Granman Aboikoni geroemd om bijdrage 'Saamaka vonnis'". www.starnieuws.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
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