Respect for the forest
Fragments of conversations in Saamaka tongo Recordings: January - March 2023 in Pikin Slee (SR) Marjet Zwaans, Edje Doekoe, at Buro Stedelijk Amsterdam (NL) Transcribed and translated with Vinije Haabo
How do you experience languages? Mbei u seei gblen gblen, Sindo a mindi, Fitoou di tololo sondi & Lesipeki di matu, are audio and video fragments of conversations in Saramaccan, one of Suriname’s Maroon languages. Formed by a mix of various African and European languages, such as Kikongo, Ewe, Portuguese, Dutch and English. You may hear an occasional familiar word. The rhythm and intonation form the base of the presentation of Edje Doekoe, Toya Saakie and Marjet Zwaans, during Listening Sessions Manifestation #1 at Buro Stedelijk. With an English translation of the conversations written on paper with Vinije Haabo. How does it make you feel?