There is a debate whether the abolition of slavery or Keti Koti should be celebrated or commemorated. In this column you can read my vision on this debate. To celebrate or not to celebrate? To commemorate or not to commemorate?
Ever since I can remember, I have known that the abolition of slavery is commemorated or celebrated on July 1, because the abolition of slavery took place on July 1, 1863. So it is natural for most Surinamese to commemorate or celebrate this day.
There is a debate whether the abolition of slavery should be commemorated or celebrated.
In my opinion, we should commemorate and celebrate Keti Koti on this day, because it is a privilege to live today as free descendants of slaves. So we may and should solemnly reflect on the events of the past, but as descendants of slaves, we may also celebrate that physical slavery is a thing of the past and that we do not live under the yoke of katibo or slavery.
I find it a pleasure to see how most people go to work or visit the various festivities on this day in traditional costumes. I have never worked on this day, because it was and still is a holiday in Suriname. In principle I take the day off!
Just as I don't work on my day of birth, I don't want to work on this day. Taking time off from work is also part of commemorating and celebrating the abolition of slavery.
More and more often I hear that people realize that they have to take July 1st off work. Someone said that she swaps July 1st with December 5th; the day that Sinterklaas is celebrated in the Netherlands. I have never delved into the Sinterklaas festival and I do not know why it is celebrated, but that is another subject and will therefore leave it at that.
I am talking about commemorating and celebrating the abolition of physical slavery.
On this day I always take a moment to try and ask myself how my ancestors must have felt on this day. As I know from history lessons, stories and books, it didn't bother them much, because they just had to work another 10 years. So why be happy on July 1st 1863? After 1873, people had the right to be happy and feel somewhat free.
And yet I think it is important to reflect on the written abolition of physical slavery on July 1.
Every beginning has an end and so does slavery.
So people I say: 'Keti Koti; commemorating and celebrating the breaking of the chains'
© Dayenne Denneboom
Saturday, July 16, 2011
