Wandelmars

Every year around Easter-time people flood onto the streets of Paramaribo for the annual Wandelmars ("walking march" in Dutch). It's a time when neighbors gather around the streets sides and corners to watch their friends and neighbors parade through the capital city. For four days the parade marches through different neighborhoods.

Approximately 2,500 people participate each year in this event. Surinamers are hoping to make this into an international event, with visitors coming from other regional countries to participate.

As an outsider, it seems to me that this is Suriname's version of Carnival. However, it's far tamer and cleaner than other events held around the Caribbean. This is definitely a family-friendly celebration.

Groups of people participate in clubs which organize themselves around particular themes. Clubs represent various educational, social, and religious groups. The ethnic groups are by far the most colorful. Groups are judged on various levels including orderliness, which I find to be somewhat amusing. The Wandelmars resembles a happy romp down the street; however, somehow people here see "order" in the process!

Whether in sunshine or rain, people will gather along the roadsides throughout the city to watch the colorful parade that has become so much a part of life here. It's a lot of fun to watch as the people march by dressed in beautiful costumes.