Kodjo also ''Cojo'' and ''Codjo'' (1800s – died 26 January 1833) was a Surinamese slave. On 26 January 1833, he was burnt alive for starting the 1832 fire 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 ...

which caused the destruction of 46 houses. Kodjo used to be known as a criminal. Nowadays, he is remembered as a resistance fighter.

Biography

Kodjo was born on a Monday, and therefore named Kodjo. He was a slave of D.M. Sanches, but seconded to Mrs. Smith who ran an

inn Inns are generally establishments or buildings where travelers can seek lodging, and usually, food and drink. Inns are typically located in the country or along a highway; before the advent of motorized transportation they also provided accommo ...

. Smith called him ''Andries'', and was known for her cruelty. In July 1832, Kodjo had sold bread in the street. Upon his return, Smith counted the money, and discovered that 2½ cents were missing. Kodjo ran away, and found refuge in Picornobosch in

Kwatta Kwatta is a resort in Suriname, located in the Wanica District. Its population at the 2012 census was 14,151. Kwatta is named after a former cocoa plantation located here. It used to be an agriculture area, but due to its close proximity of Para ...

near Paramaribo. In the forest, he banded together with Mentor, Present, and other slaves who had also escaped. The group occasionally went to the city to steal and rob supplies.

Fire

On the night of 3 on 4 September 1832, Kodjo and his group, went to the house of Mozes Nunes Monsanto whom Kodjo knew well. After sneaking in, they proceeded to steal food from the kitchen. Kodjo went up to the bedroom where he observed a child and female slave asleep. He then set fire to the laundry and curtains, and proceeded to the shop where he stole some goods. The fire quickly spread out of control, and caused the destruction of 46 houses. Present and Mentor were first arrested in connection with the arson. Kodjo and the others were arrested on 3 October. They were detained in Fort Zeelandia. Kodjo attempted to escape on 11 December 1832, but was apprehended by citizens and returned to the fort.

Trial and execution

During the interrogation, Kodjo said that he wanted to burn down the city, and dispel the whites. On 10 January 1833, the slaves were charged with rebellion, and arson. Kodjo, Mentor and Present were found guilty of arson and rebellion, and sentenced to be burnt at the stake. Winst and Tom were only found guilty of rebellion, and therefore, sentenced to be hung. Four other run away slaves, were sentenced to 15 years hard labour. The execution would take place at the remains of the house of Monsanto. When Kodjo heard the sentence, he shouted: "Da ston srefi moesoe broko" (The stones must be broken), and smashed his handcuffs against the stone

windowsill A windowsill (also written window sill or window-sill, and less frequently in British English, cill) is the horizontal structure or surface at the bottom of a window. Window sills serve to structurally support and hold the window in place. The ...

. On 26 January 1833, the execution was carried out. Kodjo was about 30 years old.

Aftermath

Kodjo has been recognized as a resistance fighter. As of 1993, there is a yearly remembrance of the event. On 26 January 2000, the square near the former house of Monsanto was renamed Kodjo, Mentor en Present Pren, and

Erwin de Vries Erwin de Vries (21 December 1929 – 31 January 2018) was a Surinamese painter and sculptor. De Vries was born in Paramaribo, and is the half-brother of Henry Lucien de Vries, who served as governor of Suriname from 1965 until 1967. Wim Bos V ...

was commissioned to build a monument for Kodjo, Mentor and Present.

References

Bibliography

* (Historical novel) * (Court record) {{DEFAULTSORT:Kodjo 1800s births People executed by the Netherlands by burning 1833 deaths Surinamese slaves Surinamese rebels Surinamese criminals