Who are the Aukan People

History of the Aukaners
Deep in the interior of the rain forests of Suriname and French Guiane live a group of people called the Aukaners. These people are also known historically as Ndjukas (The term "Ndjuka" should not be confused with the term "Djuka" which is a derogatory word). They are the descendants of African slaves brought over from Central and West Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries by the Dutch to work the many plantations in the coastal regions. These slaves came from many different language and tribal groups in West Africa. After being sold to Europeans by other conquering African tribes, the slaves were inhumanely packed in cramped ships and sent to South America. Conditions on the plantations were even more cruel and inhumane. These Dutch were notoriously cruel slave owners; in fact, a common threat made to slaves in the Americas was that they would be sent to Suriname if they did not obey.

With the risk of sure death or horrendous torture if they were recaptured, many of these slaves escaped into the jungle interior of the country where they would not be followed. Many of these Africans escaped into the interior before they were completely assimilated into the slave culture. The Aukaners set up their own societies, forming a unique culture, language and lifestyle very similar to that of their various and mixed West African roots. Today all Aukaners can identify themselves with one of the twelve sub-tribes of Aukaners. Each of these Aukaners can trace their matriarchal linage to a woman who escaped to the interior centuries before. Over time the Aukaners began covertly returning to the plantations along the coast to raid and steal food, munitions, women, and cooking utensils. A protracted guerrilla civil war ensued. By the late 1700's the Dutch colony was almost completely abandoned by the Europeans due to the huge losses of these raids. To stop the raiding, the Dutch government agreed to a treaty with the Aukaners. In exchange for ammunitions, supplies, and money from the government, the Aukaners agreed to cease their unpredictable raiding of the plantations.

For over 250 years the Aukaners lived in relative isolation from the outside world.
  

Culture of the Aukan Society

Women
For a woman, child bearing is her most important task. Girls tend to marry around the age of fifteen and are immediately expected to bear many children. Women are responsible for growing the food (especially rice) for the family. Polygamy is practiced in Aukan society, and this adds many stresses to family life. Co-wives are notorious for their arguments and discord; in fact, a standard synonym for the verb "to fight" (feti) literally means "to make (act like) a co-wife." A wife is completely dependent on her husband for her material pos-sessions and is in competition with all of her husband's other wives.

Men
Men in Aukan society are the providers, the hunters. They are responsible for providing their wife/wives with material possessions. It is their duty to clear the land for their wife's garden; provide her with meat and fish; build a hut and canoe for her; and provide tools and presents (imported from the capital city of Paramaribo). The majority of the men spend at least part of the year working in Paramaribo or French Guyana, earning money to take care of their families.

Children
Children are an important part of Aukan society and are highly valued. From birth, gender roles are clearly defined and this is exhibited in children's play. Little girls play at being pregnant; nursing babies; tying babies to their backs; making formal visits to their husband's villages; and pretending to be possessed by snake gods. Little boys stalk lizards and small birds; pack imaginary suitcases for trips to the coast; "drive" imaginary motorboats; and pretend to be possessed by warrior gods. Boys are often taken to the coast to see Paramaribo; girls are not. Girls generally marry around the age of 15; boys marry in their middle 20's.

Transportation
There are no roads or vehicles in the interior. Transportation is by dug-out canoe on the rivers. The canoes can be quite massive and usually have a short shank outboard motor to propel them. Drivers are men experienced in navigating the sometimes tricky waterways; the driver is called the "botoman."

Authority
It is important to know the basic authority structure of a village so that etiquette can be followed. The one individual who is over all Aukaners is called the Gaanman or the paramount chief. His village is in Diitabiki. Each village also has a captain who is the ruling authority. All of these authority positions are held by men.

Language
The heart language (that is, the language that is most often spoken; the language that Aukaners think in) of the Aukan people is Aukans. Among coastal residents there is considerable bilingualism (Aukans and Sranan Tongo). Some coastal residents are trilingual with Aukans, Sranan Tongo and Dutch. Sranan Tongo is the trade language for the whole country of Suriname among all the different people groups.

Dress
The Aukan people have a very typical style of dress which distinguishes them from Western society. Aukan women often go topless or wear a bra only. The upper thigh, buttocks and pelvic area are always covered with a pangi, a one piece wrap around cloth. Aukan men often go top less or wear the camissa (a toga-like cloth thrown over one shoulder and caught with a knot).

Economy
Agriculture is the main focus of the Aukan economy. Items grown, however, are for the personal use of those who grow them (as well as a small group of related family members). There are no markets. The main crop is dry rice; other crops include cassava, taro, okra, maize, plantains, bananas, sugar cane and peanuts.

Religion
Religions plays an extremely important role in the life of an Aukaner. The religious structure is one of animism and ancestral spirit veneration. There is a three tiered hierarchy of gods which plays a crucial role in every aspect of Aukan life. Superstition is rampant. Individuals live in fear that they will commit some sin that will upset their ancestral spirits. Avenging, ancestral spirits are called "kunu" and must be appeased (through libations and sacrifices) when a wrong is committed. All sickness (especially serious illness) is seen to be the result of kunu action.

Aukaners use charms, amulets, and fetishes to protect them from evil. There is a definite sense of good and evil in the Aukan mind set. Evil is associated with great danger, so it is to be avoided as much as possible. When a sin is and committed, atonement is made quickly as directed by religious practitioners (priests and mediums). The concept of salvation by faith is foreign to Aukan thinking. There is the concept of mercy in their system of justice, but atonement must always be made to cover sin. Aukan mindset would be equivalent to salvation by works. Converts to any other religion (including Christianity) are seen as a definite threat to the Aukan way of life. Often, new converts move out of their houses into new homes away from their traditional village. Aukaners will initially listen to converts and try to add this new belief into their own religious world view. Syncretism is a real possibility and steps must be taken to ensure that true Christianity is presented. Pentecostal churches have made some breakthroughs in society, particularly in the coastal regions. It is estimated that there are about 3000 Aukan Christians, the majority of whom live in Paramaribo or Cottica. The New Testament and the "Jesus" film have now been translated into Aukans.

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