Diitabiki Explained

Official Name:Drietabbetje
Other Name:Dritabiki
Native Name:Diitabiki
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Suriname
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Suriname
Subdivision Name1:Sipaliwini District
Subdivision Type2:Resort
Subdivision Name2:Tapanahony
Unit Pref:Imperial
Timezone:AST
Utc Offset:-3
Coordinates:4.1139°N -54.6761°W

Diitabiki (Sranan Tongo: Dritabiki, Dutch: Drietabbetje) is a Ndyuka village in the Sipaliwini District of Suriname. Diitabiki is the residence of the gaanman of the Ndyuka people, since 1950, and the location of the oracle.[1]

Name

Both the Ndyuka and Sranan Tongo name for the village translates to "three islands," with the word tabiki meaning "island" in both languages.[2] While drie indeed also translates as "three" in the Dutch language, the word tabbetje is a homophonic translation of the Ndyuka word.

History

The Ndyuka people are of African descent, and were shipped as slaves to Suriname in the 17-18th century to work on Dutch-owned colonial plantations. The escaped slaves moved into the rainforest, and banded together.[3] There were frequent clashes between the colonists and the Ndyuka, however in 1760, a peace treaty was signed granting the Ndyuka autonomy.[4] From 1761 onwards, the Ndyuka gradually moved southwards in order to protected themselves from the colonists, and started to build villages on the Tapanahoni River dispelling the indigenous Tiriyó. Diitabiki is one of the villages. Slaves who had recently fled from Armina and Boven Commewijne were stationed near the confluence of the Tapanahoni and Lawa River to guard against attacks by the Aluku.[5]

Education

Since the 1960s, Diitabiki is home to the Granman Akontoe Velantie primary school, which as of 2015 has 333 pupils.[6] In 2015, volunteers from Diitabiki and its surroundings extended the school with an extra classroom.[7]

Healthcare

Diitabiki is home to a Medische Zending healthcare centre.[8]

Energy

Between 1985 and 1987, electricity was provided by an overhead power line connected to the Puketi hydroelectric power plant. After this power plant stopped working during the Surinamese Interior War there have been attempts to rehabilitate the facility, but after a university delegation in 2003 and 2004 investigated the possibilities for hydroelectric power in the region, the Ministry for Regional Development decided to instead fund the construction of a larger hydroelectric power plant at the Gran Olo rapids nearby. Although it will initially only power Puketi and Futupasi, the plan is to eventually connect Diitabiki to the grid as well. As of 2016, the Gran Olo power plant is still under construction.[9]

Transportation

By air

Diitabiki is served by Drietabbetje Airstrip, offering Blue Wings and Gum Air scheduled services from Paramaribo.[10]

By boat and rail

Diitabaki is close to the villages of Mainsi, and Moitaki. The Granholo waterfalls cannot be crossed by boat. A railway line has been built at Futupasi to cross the waterfalls,[11] and since February 2008, a ferry service has been opened to Puketi and Godo Holo.[12]

Tourism

Several holiday resorts have opened in or near Diitabiki, and ecotourism is actively being promoted.[13] The village is promoting itself as a tourist destination, and tour operators are offering tours to Diitabiki, and the surrounding nature.[14]

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Een geschiedenis van de Surinaamse literatuur. Deel 2. Digital Library for Dutch Literature. 21 May 2020. 2002. nl.
  2. Web site: Zonder het Nederlands waren we pas echt geïsoleerd. nl. Taalschrift. 22 May 2020.
  3. Web site: Suriname and the Maroons. Milwaukee Public Museum. 23 May 2020.
  4. Web site: The Ndyuka Treaty Of 1760: A Conversation with Granman Gazon. Cultural Survival. 23 May 2020.
  5. Web site: Encyclopaedie van Nederlandsch West-Indië - Page 154 - Boschnegers. Digital Library for Dutch Literature. 1916. 22 May 2020. nl.
  6. News: Alendy . Cythia . 14 October 2015 . School Dritabiki nog steeds gesloten . Starnews . 18 April 2016.
  7. News: . 14 October 2015 . Dorpelingen Drietabbetje bouwen leslokaal bij school . . 18 April 2016 . 5 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160505012905/http://dwtonline.com/laatste-nieuws/2015/10/25/dorpelingen-drietabbetje-bouwen-leslokaal-bij-school/ . dead .
  8. Web site: Zorggebied. Medische Zending.sr. 22 May 2020. nl. 30 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220930070719/http://www.medischezending.sr/mz/zorggebied/. dead.
  9. News: . Zoveelste vertraging oplevering miniwaterkrachtcentrale Gran Olo Sula – Eén transformator ongeschikt voor stroomleverantie . Obsession Magazine . 11 October 2014 . 26 April 2016.
  10. Web site: Blue Wings Airlines. 22 May 2020. nl. 21 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200121044041/http://bluewingairlines.com/charters/. dead.
  11. Web site: Drietabbetje. Tigri Tours. 22 May 2020. nl. 15 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200815160514/http://www.tigritours.nl/specials/expedities/drietabbetje/. dead.
  12. Web site: Bezoek delegatie aan Drietabbetje. Ministry of Transport Suriname. 22 May 2020. nl. 11 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190911090107/http://www.mintct.sr/vp32.htm. dead.
  13. Web site: Planning Office Suriname - Districts 2009-2013. Planning Office Suriname. 22 May 2020. nl.
  14. Web site: Welkom in Drietabbetje. 22 May 2020. Parbode. 24 August 2009. nl.