On the Suriname River in Paramaribo, King Willem-Alexander takes a seat on a cloth-covered chair, with Maroon leader Leslie Valentijn of the Matawai people and Gaama Jimmy Toeroemang, leader of the Trio, one of the indigenous peoples of Suriname, opposite him. Three leaders in a place where earth, water and air come together, and contact with ancestors is strongest according to Surinamese people.
In 2023, the king apologized for the history of slavery and, as head of the Van Oranje-Nassau family, he asked for forgiveness because his ancestors had not acted “against this crime against humanity”.
But those excuses were made in the Netherlands. Not here, in the place where slavery took place for three centuries and where the effects are still palpable. Indigenous leaders, descendants of enslaved people and Maroon representatives had sent a letter to the king. They would “consider” the request for forgiveness. And the apology would have to be repeated in Suriname, so that the ancestors could be included in the decision to forgive through certain rituals.
Siegmien Staphorst, dressed in a mint green koto (traditional dress) and matching angisa (headscarf), representative of the Afro-Surinamese communities, calls the king “courageous” for coming. “I think it is also an emotional day for him. For him it is also about his ancestors, he also asks questions.”
Everyone at the river, many of whom have been discussing what they want from the king for over a year, is aware of the special aspect of the afternoon. For a year, so-called krutus (traditional meetings) were held throughout the country, with a gran krutu.
The king himself also feels the importance. He listens attentively, nods, asks. When he is later given the floor in a group discussion, he says that he first wants to listen to what those present have to say.
‘We are all products of slavery’
The Winti priest who leads the ritual at the river says: “We are all products of slavery.” The purpose of the afternoon is to purify the inner self. The priest says: “We cannot undo the past, but we can ensure the growth and prosperity of our descendants.”
Pieces of red cloth are torn and leaves are crumbled. Willem-Alexander receives one end of a cotton cord in his left hand, Jimmy Toeroemang and Leslie Valentijn the other end. They then solemnly promise to “work hard on the future”.
King Willem-Alexander holds cotton string during the sacrificial ritual.
Photo Remko de Waal / ANP
The king must then be forgiven during a circle discussion with a number of indigenous and Afro-Surinamese representatives and Maroon leaders, in the presence of Surinamese President Jennifer Simons. King Willem-Alexander says that he is well aware that the pain continues. And that he was at the river as responsible.
Earlier in the day, in the National Assembly, Willem-Alexander said: “Building the future only makes sense if we take into account the foundation on which we stand. That foundation is our shared past.”
In the group discussion he also talks about his first foreign visit after his marriage to Máxima in 2002. They went to Ghana, the country from which many slaves were transported to Suriname. He then stood at Fort Elmina, now right next to Fort Zeelandia. The circle is complete, says Willem-Alexander. And again he says that he feels responsible, also for the healing process.
When the person leading the group discussion wants to conclude, the king breaks in. He looks at Jimmy Toeroemang and says that the indigenous peoples were not properly included in the independence process. Toeroemang has previously said that the Dutch presence in Suriname has had “far-reaching consequences.” Indigenous groups are still fighting for land rights: “We now have to play Western legal games to get back what was historically and spiritually ours.”
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In Suriname the king must ‘radiate warmth’ and ‘talk, but above all listen’
In 2015, the state of Suriname was condemned after indigenous groups filed a lawsuit with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (ACHR) in Costa Rica for the recognition of their collective land rights. According to that conviction, Suriname must recognize this and invest in the development of villages. To date, successive Surinamese governments have refused to implement this so-called Kali’na and Lokono verdict.
Hesdy Ommen, who is the first to speak on behalf of all those present at the circle discussion, tells the king that he is “moved” by his words. The apologies that Willem-Alexander repeats for the company of descendants are finally accepted and forgiven.
Empty hands?
However, this is not the end for the Surinamese present. Ommen says that the road to recovery can now begin: “You don’t ask for an apology empty-handed.” Leaders expect a discussion on further reparations. President Simons says: “The backlogs are large. Wages have never been paid. We are not going to argue about that, but it does exist.”
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima during a group discussion with representatives of descendants of enslaved people and indigenous communities in Suriname.
ANP POOL REMKO DE WAAL
The Netherlands has set aside 66 million euros to, as the government says, “not put a full stop” behind the past but “a comma”. Outgoing Minister David van Weel (Foreign Affairs, VVD) said that the use of that money will be discussed in the coming years.
Towards the end of the afternoon, those present shook hands. The royal couple leaves, while the boat containing the barrel (mata) with the used leaves and dust is lowered into the water. A final symbolic act in the Suriname River: the ebb will wash away the past, the flood will bring purification.
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