Paloemeu Explained

Official Name:Paloemeu
Other Name:Palumeu
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Suriname
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Suriname
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Suriname
Subdivision Type1:District
Subdivision Name1:Sipaliwini District
Subdivision Type2:Resort (municipality)
Subdivision Name2:Tapanahony
Leader Title:Head captain
Leader Name:Essikeo Japawai
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:283[1]
Coordinates:3.3453°N -55.4431°W
Lon Sec:35 ? -->

Paloemeu or Palumeu is an Amerindian village in the interior of Suriname, situated at the site where the Paloemeu River joins the Tapanahoni River. Most inhabitants of the village are native Tiriyó Amerindians. The remainder belongs to the Wayana, and Aparai tribes.[2] The Bosatlas in 1968 identified the village as Pepejoe which was incorrect according to the New West Indian Guide.[3]

Overview

The village was visited three times by basiya Lodewijk Schmidt, a Saramaka Maroon from Gansee, who had been hired by the Surinamese government to contact and map the Amerindians living in the interior of Suriname.[4] On 18 January 1942, during his third expedition, Schmidt van Gansee installed Joeloe as the first Captain of the Tiriyó on Paloemeu River.[5] The village chief in 2022 was Essikeo Japawai.[1]

Paloemeu is home to a primary school, and a Medische Zending healthcare centre.[6]

Paloemeu can be reached by the river or via the Vincent Fayks Airport. The 718 metre high Kasikasima mountain is located about from the village. The journey will take 3 to 7 hours by boat.[7] [8] There is a jungle ecotourism resort on the Tapanahony River for tourists.[9]

Energy

Since the early 2000s there have been efforts to construct a micro hydroelectric power plant in the Panato creek to provide Paloemeu with electricity.[10] These efforts were initiated by the Dutch entrepreneur Arnout van de Werken. Several difficulties, including the flooding of the small reservoir in 2005, have hampered the project.[11] As of 2014, Palumeu still does not have full day electricity, and continues to rely on the few hours of diesel-generated electricity provided by the government.[12]

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dorpen en Dorpsbesturen. Vereniging van Inheemse Dorpshoofden in Suriname. 22 June 2022. nl.
  2. Web site: Aparai. Socio Ambiental. 1 April 2021.
  3. 41970171. nl. Kruijer. G. J.. Reviewed work: Bos-Niermeyer Atlas der gehele Aarde, F. J. Ormeling. Nieuwe West-Indische Gids / New West Indian Guide. 1968. 46. 2. 188–193.
  4. Web site: Baas Schmidt van Gansee. F.H.F. Oldenburger. 1-2. nl. Sipaliwini Savanna.
  5. Web site: Verslag van de derde reis naar de Trio’s in het gebied van de Sipaliwini en de Sitharé (11 december 1941-21 april 1942). Sipaliwini Savanna. F. H. F. Oldenburger. 2. nl.
  6. Web site: Zorggebied. Medische Zending.sr. 27 May 2020. nl. 30 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220930070719/http://www.medischezending.sr/mz/zorggebied/. dead.
  7. Web site: Kasikasima Jungle Expeditie. Mets. 29 May 2020. nl.
  8. Web site: Kasikasima Tour. Sangfoo expeditions. 15 January 2022. nl.
  9. Web site: Planning Office Suriname - Districts. Planning Office Suriname. nl. 13 January 2022.
  10. The GEF Small Gifts Programme – Electrification of village Palumeu through application of micro hydropower works in the Panato creek
  11. News: Tijseling . Alan . Palumeu, van de stroom en de dam die overstroomde . Parbode . 1 October 2007 . 25 April 2016 .
  12. News: Inwoners Palumeu willen elektriciteit en drinkwater en voldoende leerkrachten . Obsession magazine . 25 April 2014 . 25 April 2016 .