| Lalla Rookh Museum | |
| Map Type: | Paramaribo |
| Coordinates: | 5.8151°N -55.2068°W |
| Location: | Lalla Rookhweg 54, Paramaribo, Suriname |
| Established: | 5 June 2016 |
| Website: | lallarookh.org |
Lalla Rookh Museum is a museum about the Indo-Surinamese history and culture. It is located in the Lalla Rookh Complex in Paramaribo, Suriname.[1]
The museum was opened on 5 June 2016 by vice-president Ashwin Adhin[2] at the 143rd anniversary of the first indentured labourers arriving in Suriname.[3] The museum has been named after Lalla Rookh, the ship used to transport the workers from British India to Suriname.[4]
Before the opening, the Indo-Suriname community was asked to provide cultural and historical significant items like photos, articles, tools, clothing for the museum.[5] The museum contains a burqi wagon (a donkey cart),[6] and a replica of a pina hut, a hut made out of Açaí palm leaves.[7] The collection is presented as a time line starting with the recruitment, states of origin (Uttar Pradesh and Bihar), arrival, transition to small scale agriculture up to the present.[3]
The museum organises monthly activities related to the Indo-Suriname community.[8] Past themes included Suriname in World War II.,[9] the effect of Bollywood on Hindu music,[10] and the strike at Mariënburg.[11]
There is a special school program for children in the 5th and 6th grade.[6]