The Story of Suriname
Lost in Context
435,583 views
Suriname: A tiny country with a history that reads like a thriller. A nation of people whose ancestors never really wanted to be there, its story is simply fascinating. A rollercoaster of coups, political intrigue, and international scandals are just the surface. From civil war in the jungle to fugitive presidents wanted for cocaine trafficking, you won’t be able to look away. And we explore its capital, Paramaribo, to see what life is like there today. This is the spellbinding, scarcely believable story of modern Suriname.
To support the channel:
Patreon: LostinContext (become a supporter)
https://buymeacoffee.com/lostincontext (tip jar)
Sources and recommendations (with Amazon links- If you buy I will earn a small commission)
Saamaka Dreaming, Richard Price and Sally Price, 2017 (https://amzn.to/4suIJQ2)
The single (and perhaps only?) book to read on the culture of the Saamaka while it still partially existed. The account of two anthropologists.
John Gimlette, Wild Coast: Travels on South America's Untamed Edge, 2011 (https://amzn.to/4ugwqsp)
A lyrically written travel account on the three Guianas. It's fun, and poetic, and deeply researched.
John Hemming, Tree of Rivers: The Story of the Amazon, 2008 (https://amzn.to/4snyxsK)
The standard account of the history of the Amazon rainforest. Comprehensive, and much better written than your average dry history.
Charles C. Mann, 1491: The Americas Before Columbus, 2005 (https://amzn.to/47h1MoQ)
One of my favourite books I've ever read. A story elegantly told, and it will change the way you think about the Americas before the European arrival.
Charles C. Mann, 1493: How the Ecological Collision of Europe and the Americas Gave Rise to the Modern World, 2011 (https://amzn.to/4lcckeI)
The sequel to the above, about the world that was created by the connecting of the Americas to the world system.
McNeill, J. R, Mosquito Empires; Ecology and War in the Greater Carribbean, 2010 (https://amzn.to/40hxHle)
It seems like it might be a dry history book, but it's much better than that. Argues convincingly for the crucial role of disease (hence the mosquito) in the story of the Americas.
English colonies in Guiana and on the Amazon, 1604-1668, James A. Williamson, 1923
00:00 Intro
01:00 Suriname's History
03:15 Independence
04:35 Desi Bouterse
06:35 Civil War
11:53 Paramaribo
19:02 Post-War Politics
25:00 Ronnie Brunswijk
26:11 Suriname Today
28:30 The Guianas
20 Comments
Great documentary.
The Story of Suriname
Lost in Context
435,583 views
Suriname: A tiny country with a history that reads like a thriller. A nation of people whose ancestors never really wanted to be there, its story is simply fascinating. A rollercoaster of coups, political intrigue, and international scandals are just the surface. From civil war in the jungle to fugitive presidents wanted for cocaine trafficking, you won’t be able to look away. And we explore its capital, Paramaribo, to see what life is like there today. This is the spellbinding, scarcely believable story of modern Suriname.
To support the channel:
Patreon: LostinContext (become a supporter)
https://buymeacoffee.com/lostincontext (tip jar)
Sources and recommendations (with Amazon links- If you buy I will earn a small commission)
Saamaka Dreaming, Richard Price and Sally Price, 2017 (https://amzn.to/4suIJQ2)
The single (and perhaps only?) book to read on the culture of the Saamaka while it still partially existed. The account of two anthropologists.
John Gimlette, Wild Coast: Travels on South America's Untamed Edge, 2011 (https://amzn.to/4ugwqsp)
A lyrically written travel account on the three Guianas. It's fun, and poetic, and deeply researched.
John Hemming, Tree of Rivers: The Story of the Amazon, 2008 (https://amzn.to/4snyxsK)
The standard account of the history of the Amazon rainforest. Comprehensive, and much better written than your average dry history.
Charles C. Mann, 1491: The Americas Before Columbus, 2005 (https://amzn.to/47h1MoQ)
One of my favourite books I've ever read. A story elegantly told, and it will change the way you think about the Americas before the European arrival.
Charles C. Mann, 1493: How the Ecological Collision of Europe and the Americas Gave Rise to the Modern World, 2011 (https://amzn.to/4lcckeI)
The sequel to the above, about the world that was created by the connecting of the Americas to the world system.
McNeill, J. R, Mosquito Empires; Ecology and War in the Greater Carribbean, 2010 (https://amzn.to/40hxHle)
It seems like it might be a dry history book, but it's much better than that. Argues convincingly for the crucial role of disease (hence the mosquito) in the story of the Americas.
English colonies in Guiana and on the Amazon, 1604-1668, James A. Williamson, 1923
00:00 Intro
01:00 Suriname's History
03:15 Independence
04:35 Desi Bouterse
06:35 Civil War
11:53 Paramaribo
19:02 Post-War Politics
25:00 Ronnie Brunswijk
26:11 Suriname Today
28:30 The Guianas
1. I recorded this in January 2025, and a general election was held in May 2025. Ronnie Brunswijk is no longer vice-president of Suriname.
2. I'm saying Bouterse's name wrong the entire video
3. I'm just as annoyed about the black spot from some headphones that appears on my cheek from 21.29 onwards as you are
4. Many people have pointed out that the Suriname map is wrong. I take no position on the rightful possession of the New River Triangle. The reason I used the map that I did is entirely because that is the default one available as part of the mapping tools I use.