Galibi, Suriname

Galibi
Resort
Turtle on the beach of Galibi
Turtle on the beach of Galibi
Map showing the resorts of Marowijne District.
  Galibi
Coordinates: 5°41′52″N 54°01′40″W / 5.6978°N 54.0277°W / 5.6978; -54.0277
Country Suriname
DistrictMarowijne District
Area
 • Total
1,014 km2 (392 sq mi)
Elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2012)[1]
 • Total
741
 • Density0.73/km2 (1.9/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-3 (AST)

Galibi is a resort in Suriname, located in the Marowijne District. Its population at the 2012 census was 741. Galibi is a tribal area inhabited by an indigenous population[1] of Kalina Amerindians.[2]

The town of Alusiaka used to be located near the banks of the Marowijne River. The Dutch West India Company was given 500 hectares to grow coconuts; but, because of their mistreatment of the workers, the town was abandoned.[3] In 1871 a 60-metre lighthouse was built near the entrance of the Marowijne; it was operated until 2012.[4]

Christiaankondre

The village of Christiaankondre is located along the estuary of the Marowijne River. Together with neighbouring Langamankondre, it is often referred to as Galibi.[5] The village has been named after Christiaan Pané whose father founded the village in the late 17th century. The economy is based on fishing, subsistence farming, and tourism.[6] The village has a school, a clinic,[7] and a little zoo.[8] Corneliskondre is the larger of the two settlements.[2] The village chief as of 2020 is Richardo Pané.[2]

Langamankondre

Langamankondre is located next to Christiaankondre. The name is a mix of Dutch and Sranan Tongo and means "Long man's village" because the chief was very tall.[6] In 2016, Selowin Alamijawari was elected village chief.[9]

Galibi Nature Reserve

The main attraction is the Galibi Nature Reserve. There is a beach at the mouth of the Marowijne River on the Atlantic Ocean. This section also has a small zoo and tourist shop. Tourists come to Galibi largely to see the Leatherback sea turtle. Its females migrate here from all over the world (including places as distant as Costa Rica, to lay their eggs in Suriname.[10] Almost half of the known population of leatherback turtles, lay their eggs in this area.[7]

Other turtles that frequent the beach are the Green sea turtle, the Olive ridley sea turtle, and the Hawksbill sea turtle[10] The area can only visited under strict supervision between February and June.[7]

Wia Wia Nature Reserve

Founded in 1961, the Wia Wia Nature Reserve is located to the west of the Galibi Nature Reserve. It was also intended for the protection of the turtles; however, the focus has shifted to bird species,[11] because the beach has shifted to the west.[12] The Wia Wia Nature Reserve spans an area of 36,000 hectares.[13]

Transport

Galibi has a small boat (korjaal) connection to Albina. The journey across the water takes about 1.5 hrs, and boats land near the villages of Christiaankondre and Langamankondre. There is a road connection to some parts of the resort Galibi, but not to the two main villages near the nature reserve. The residents believed that a road would have disturbed their peace and quiet.[14]

Notable people

Sister cities

Further reading

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Resorts in Suriname Census 2012" (PDF). Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Dorpen en Dorpsbesturen". Vereniging van Inheemse Dorpshoofden (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Een geschiedenis van de Surinaamse literatuur. Deel 2". Digital Library for Dutch Literature (in Dutch). 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  4. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Suriname". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  5. ^ Albert Helman (1977). "Cultureel mozaïek van Suriname" (in Dutch). Zutphen: Walburg Pers. p. 350. ISBN 9060110730.
  6. ^ a b "District Marowijne". Bibi Onderweg (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "STRUCTUUR ANALYSE DISTRICTEN 2009-2013" (PDF). Planning Office Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Galibi Zoo". Columbus Magazine (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Langamankondre installeert nieuw dorpshoofd". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Galibi Tour naar Galibi Zeeschildpadden". Galibi Suriname (in Dutch and English). Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Stichting Natuurbehoud Suriname". Stichting Natuurbehoud Suriname via Yellow.place (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  12. ^ Ouboter, Paul E. (2001). "Directory of protected areas of Suriname". IBER. p. 11.
  13. ^ "Natuur". Suriname Weetjes (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  14. ^ "Galibi Suriname". Suriname Vakantiereis (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Sylvia Kajoeramari van PL overgestapt naar ABOP". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Koksijde vrijt met Albina". Parbode (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 December 2021.
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