Gourd Painting Workshop

There’s plenty to do during the Culture Festival. That’s why, in the afternoon, the Surinamese School will have mountains of calabashes ready and waiting to be beautifully decorated. There’s a lovely story behind this—see below—but of course, the children are free to create their own stories as well.
You don’t need to register for this workshop, but you might have to wait a bit until a spot opens up.

A gourd is a large, round fruit that grows on a tree and has a very hard rind. A long time ago, people in Suriname discovered that you can hollow out this fruit and use it as a bowl or spoon. The tradition began with the first inhabitants of Suriname, the Indigenous peoples, who knew exactly how to dry the fruit. Later, people from Africa came to Suriname who were very skilled at decorating these calabashes. Using sharp knives, they carved beautiful geometric patterns and mysterious symbols into the rind. These patterns told special stories about love, family, and respect for nature. The calabashes were also used during important celebrations and rituals, such as to thank the ancestors. Today, artists in Suriname turn them into the most beautiful works of art by painting them with acrylic paint. For example, they paint colorful boats, wooden houses, or cheerful people in Surinamese clothing on them. When you see one of these beautifully decorated gourds today, you’re actually looking at a piece of Suriname’s living history!