Woodcarvers in Suriname face lure of gold mining, logging industries

In Piki Seei, a village in Suriname, 63-year-old Alingo Doekoe carves traditional wood for the Saamaka game Adji-boto. The craft, known as tembe, is a central part of Saamaka culture, passed down through generations.

Tembe woodcarving is used to create everyday items like benches, paddles, and boats. The surrounding forest has long provided resources for the Saamaka, but expanding gold mining and logging are threatening both the environment and the practice.

Carvers like Josasath Liefde, 50, emphasize that woodcarving is a vital part of their identity. Liefde, who makes large boats, said the wood used for these vessels comes from the forest, making the craft essential to their livelihood.

Gold mining and logging are drawing younger men away from their villages. Doekoe said some younger men return from mining with money, making the industry an attractive alternative to carving. However, the environmental impact of these industries is significant.

A Saamaka gold miner, who spoke anonymously, described the dangers of the industry, including injuries and environmental damage. He said he lost an arm in a mining accident but returned to work due to financial necessity.

Carvers in Piki Seei, including those in the Totomboti collective, are working to pass on their skills to younger generations. They teach children to shape wood and create objects, while also emphasizing the spiritual and cultural importance of their craft.

Doekoe warned that gold mining and logging are causing irreversible damage to the forest, affecting the future of both the environment and the next generation of Saamaka people. He fears that without a healthy forest, the traditions and livelihoods of his people will be lost.