Hinduism in Suriname

Arya Dewaker Hindu temple in Paramaribo

Hinduism is the second-largest religion in Suriname. According to the 2012 census of Suriname, Hindus constitute 22.3% of the population.[1] Suriname is the only country in South America with an increasing Hindu population, both in percentage and absolute terms.

History

The story of Hinduism in Suriname is broadly parallel to that in Guyana. Indian indentured labourers were sent to colonial Dutch Guiana by special arrangement between the Dutch and British.[2] The difference is that the Netherlands' more liberal policy toward Hinduism allowed a stronger culture to develop. Examples are the lack of a rigid caste system and the almost universal reading of the Gita and Ramayana.[3][4]

Demographics

Distribution of Hindus by district
DistrictPercent of Hindus
Sara-macca44.6%
Nickerie43.2%
Wanica39.9%
Comme-wijne24.5%
Paramaribo13.8%
Para4.9%
Coronie2.2%
Maro-wijne0.9%
Broko-pondo0.4%
Sipali-wini0.3%

Hindu denominations

According to the 2012 census, 18% of Surinamese are Sanatani Hindus, 3.1% are Arya Samaj, and the remaining 1.2% followed other forms of Hinduism.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Microsoft PowerPoint - DEFINITIEF-VOL-I.ppt" (PDF). Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  2. ↑ http://www.gopio.net/publications_articles/Immigration_lecture_Sandew_Hira.pdf
  3. ↑ "Hindus of South America". Guyanaundersiege.com. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  4. ↑ https://books.google.co.in/books?id=xDO0BAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
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