Belfon Aboikoni (31 January 1938 – 24 June 2014) was

granman Granman (Ndyuka language: ''gaanman'') is the title of the paramount chief of a Maroon (people), Maroon nation in Suriname and French Guiana. The Ndyuka people, Ndyuka, Saramaka, Matawai people, Matawai, Aluku, Paramaccan people, Paramaka and Kwint ...

of the

Saramaka The Saramaka, Saamaka or Saramacca are one of six Maroon peoples (formerly called "Bush Negroes") in the Republic of Suriname and one of the Maroon peoples in French Guiana. In 2007, the Saramaka won a ruling by the Inter-American Court of Hum ...

maroons in

Suriname Suriname (; srn, Sranankondre or ), officially the Republic of Suriname ( nl, Republiek Suriname , srn, Ripolik fu Sranan), is a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north ...

. Aboikoni was sworn in as chief of the Saramaka, one of Suriname's Maroon peoples, in October 2005 at the age of 65. He succeeded the late chief

Songo Aboikoni Songo may refer to: * Songo music, a type of contemporary Cuban music originating in Havana * Songo people, of northern Angola * Songo-salsa, a style of music that blends Spanish rapping and hip hop beats with salsa music and songo * Songo.mn, ...

who died two years earlier. Belfon Aboikoni focused on land rights during his time as chief.

Biography

Aboikoni was born on 31 January 1938 in Dangogo. Aboikoni was well-disposed to the Netherlands and had portraits of Dutch Queens in his residence. His appointment as granman was accomplished by the government, which was contrary to the tradition of the Saramaka community. The appointment therefore led to disagreement and degenerated in March 2006 in his abduction for a few days by his own family members. Aboikoni remained in

Paramaribo Paramaribo (; ; nicknamed Par'bo) is the capital and largest city of Suriname, located on the banks of the Suriname River in the Paramaribo District. Paramaribo has a population of roughly 241,000 people (2012 census), almost half of Suriname's ...

for some time, even when the floods of May 2006 hit his home area. In response, he indicated that he was best placed to defend his people from the capital Chief Belfon Aboikoni died on 24 June 2014, at the age of 76. He had suffered from diabetes and declining health. Later, after his death, he was praised for the role he had played in the Saramaka judgement.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aboikoni, Belfon 1938 births 2014 deaths Granman Saramaka Surinamese Maroons People from Sipaliwini District