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Surinamese Anticolonial Thought in the Twentieth Century

Surinamese Anticolonial Thought in the Twentieth Century cover

Surinamese Anticolonial Thought in the Twentieth Century

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Description

Surinamese Anticolonial Thought in the Twentieth Century offers a compelling introduction to the history of anticolonial resistance in Suriname and its diaspora. Covering the lives and ideas of seventeen influential Surinamese thinkers, this book explores how the histories, legacies, and afterlives of Dutch colonial rule were questioned, contested, and reimagined in the decades surrounding independence.
Moving beyond a narrow focus on nationalism, the authors reveal a dynamic intellectual landscape shaped by multiple – sometimes competing – visions of decolonization. While these visions were rooted in specific Surinamese conditions, they were also shaped by exchanges and entanglements within the Caribbean, Western Hemisphere, and beyond. Combined, this gave rise to a distinctly Surinamese tradition that was also deeply embedded in global currents of anticolonialism.
By bringing together both recognized and lesser-known Surinamese thinkers, this book provides the first collective study of Surinamese anticolonialism in the twentieth century. Compiled in light of the fiftieth anniversary of Surinamese independence, it offers new insights on critical perspectives that continue to resonate in the present moment.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Anton de Kom: Organic Activism, Intergenerational Reception, and the Prospects of a Decolonial Future, Guno Jones
2. Otto and Hermina Huiswoud: International Communism and the Rise of Nationalism in the Surinamese Diaspora, Markus Balkenhol
3. Salikin Hardjo: Indonesian Anticolonialist in Suriname, Klaas Breunissen
4. Papa Koenders, Trefossa, Johanna Schouten-Elsenhout, Michaël Slory, and Dobru: Creole Cultural Nationalism and the Surinamese Literary Tradition, Michiel van Kempen & Debby Esmeé de Vlugt
5. Eddy Bruma: A Lifelong Pursuit of Surinamese Independence, Hans Ramsoedh
6. Nola Hatterman, Jules Chin A Foeng, and Soekidjan Irodikromo: “In an Independent Country an Art of its Own”, Ellen de Vries
7. Cyriel Karg: Pan-Africanism and the Search for Global Racial Solidarities, Debby Esmeé de Vlugt
8. Rudi Kross: Sophisticated Anticolonialism in Limbo, Peter Meel
9. Anil Ramdas: “Vibrator of the White Conscience”? Cosmopolitan Anticolonialism beyond Collective Identity, Karin Amatmoekrim
10. Astrid Roemer: Political Postmodernity and Subversive Parables, Yra van Dijk
Epilogue

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published Nov 12 2026
Format Hardback
Edition 1st
Pages 272
ISBN 9781350542013
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Illustrations 20 bw illus
Dimensions 234 x 156 mm
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Anthology Editor

Debby Esmeé de Vlugt

Debby Esmeé de Vlugt is a Lecturer in the History…

Anthology Editor

Peter Meel

Peter Meel is a University Lecturer of History at…

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