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Hinduism in Surinam

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Hinduism and Tribal Religions

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

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Synonyms

Caribbean; Diaspora; Hindu immigrants; Hindu ritual; Hinduism; Indenture; Religion; Surinam

Surinam

Surinam, formerly known as Dutch Guyana, has been a Dutch colony until 1975. It is a tiny country on the northeastern part of South America. When the Dutch authorities abolished slavery in 1863, replacement of the slaves became necessary to keep the sugar, coffee, and cocoa estates running. In that regard about 34,000 Indians were brought to Surinam between 1873 and 1916 under the Indenture Labor Act. After the expiration of their contract, about one-third opted to return to India, whereas the remaining two-third settled in Surinam as they were offered a piece of land and some cash if they would stay in the colony. When indenture labor stopped in 1920, most of the Indians started small-scale enterprises in agriculture and animal husbandry. Since then this group has prospered and established its social, religious, political, and educational institutions [1].

Hindu Immigrants

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Arts & Culture, Humanities Faculty, University of Surinam (AdeKUS), Paramaribo, Suriname

    N. Mohkamsing

Authors
  1. N. Mohkamsing
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Correspondence to N. Mohkamsing .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Anthropology, The University of North Texas Dept of Anthropology, Denton, Texas, USA

    Pankaj Jain

  2. The Graduate Theological Union , Berkeley, California, USA

    Rita Sherma

  3. Jamia Millia Islamia, Centre for the Study of Comparative Reli Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

    Madhu Khanna

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Mohkamsing, N. (2018). Hinduism in Surinam. In: Jain, P., Sherma, R., Khanna, M. (eds) Hinduism and Tribal Religions. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_816-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_816-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Religion and PhilosophyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities

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