Belfon Aboikoni

Belfon Aboikoni (c. 1940 – June 24, 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]

Biography

Aboikoni was born in 1940.[2] Aboikoni was well-disposed to the Netherlands and had portraits of Dutch Queens in his residence.[3]

His appointment as granman was accomplished by the government, which was contrary to the tradition of the Saramaka community.[4] 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[3][5]

Chief Belfon Aboikoni died on June 24, 2014, at the age of 74.[1] He had suffered from diabetes and decling health.[1]

Later, after his death, he was praised for the role he had in the Saramaka judgment.[6]

References
  1. "Grootopperhoofd Aboikoni ingeslapen". Starnieuws Suriname. 2014-06-25. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  2. "Starnieuws - Grootopperhoofd Aboikoni ingeslapen". www.starnieuws.com. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  3. verslaggever, Van onze (2006-05-19). "God heeft Suriname schoongespoeld". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  4. Tijd, De Ware. "Delen van de Matjaw lo van de stam der Saramaccaners waarschuwen de regering voor". Suriname Nieuws - gratis app (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  5. Paramaribo (2014-06-25). "Grootopperhoofd Saramaccaners overleden". Waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  6. "Starnieuws - Granman Aboikoni geroemd om bijdrage 'Saamaka vonnis'". www.starnieuws.com. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
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