World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
Owing to the diverse ethnic mixture of the population, Surinam offers a good variety of dishes including American, Chinese, Creole, European, Indian and Indonesian. Indonesian dishes are recommended, usually rijsttafel with rice (boiled or fried) and a number of spicy meat and vegetable side dishes, nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) and bami goreng (Indonesian fried noodles). Creole dishes include pom (ground tayer roots and poultry), pastei (chicken pie with various vegetables) and peanut soup. Indian dishes, such as roti (dough pancake) served with curried chicken and potatoes, and Chinese dishes, such as chow-mein and chop suey, are excellent. Moksi meti (various meats served on rice) is a local favourite.
Local drinks include the Indonesian Dawet (a coconut drink), Gemberbier (Creole ginger drink) and Pilsener Parbo Bier. There are some restaurants in Niew-Nickerie and Paramaribo, but they tend to be scarce outside the capital.

Nightlife
There are several nightclubs in Paramaribo, often attached to a hotel, with live music and dancing. There are also a number of discos and several cinemas, including a drive-in. In general, it is best to stick to the hotels unless accompanied by locals who know the reputations of other nightspots, in particular those out of the town centre. The Local Events Bulletin lists all current activities and is usually available in hotels.

Shopping
Popular items include Maroon tribal woodcarvings, hand-carved and hand-painted trays and gourds, Amerindian bows and arrows, cotton hammocks, wicker and ceramic objects, gold and silver jewellery, Javanese bamboo and batik, as well as tobacco and liquor products. Chinese shops sell imported jade, silks, glass, dolls, needlework and wall decorations. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1630, Sat 0730-1300.

Special Events
For further details, contact the Surinam Tourism Foundation (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Surinam in 2005:
Jan New Year’s Jam/End of Surifesta (top musicians welcome the New Year). Feb Carnival. Mar Holi Phagwa Hindu Spring Festival. Apr Evening March of Folkloric Groups, Paramaribo. Nov 1 Diwali Hindu Light Festival. Nov-Jan Surifesta (end-of-year festival). Nov 4-6 End of Ramadan.

Social Conventions
Informal dress is suitable for most occasions. Guayabera or safari outfits are increasingly worn in place of jackets and ties. Women should wear long trousers on trips to the interior. Beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. Photography: It is inadvisable to photograph public places, particularly of a political or military nature (including police stations). There is a general sensitivity about the taking of photographs – it is advisable to seek prior permission. Tipping: Hotels include 10 to 15 per cent service charge and restaurants may also add 10 per cent to the bill.