Johannes Alabi

Johannes Alabi[1] (also Arabi[2])(c. 1743–1820)[2] was granman of the Saramaccans, a Maroon people in Suriname. He was of Yoruba West African descent.[3]

Johannes Alabi
Borncirca 1743
Munyawoyokiiki, Boven Suriname, Suriname
Died1820
Occupationgranman

Alabi was born around 1743 in Munyawoyokiiki in Boven Suriname. His father would later become granman (paramount chief) of the tribe. In 1767 his father was killed by the Matawai, and he swore to revenge his father's death. In September 1767, elders of the tribe persuaded to bury the hatchet, because he could become the next granman. He came into contact with missionaries of the Moravian Church who taught him to read and write, and he aided them with the development of a Saramaccan-German dictionary. On 6 January 1771, he was christened. In 1783, he was elected granman of his tribe. He died in 1820.[2]

References
  1. Scholtens, Ben (1994). Bosneger en overheid in Suriname. Radboud University Nijmegen (Thesis) (in Dutch). Paramaribo: Afdeling Cultuurstudies/Minov. p. 155. ISBN 9991410155.
  2. "6 januari: Johannes Arabidag". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  3. Richard Price (1990). Alabi's world. The Johns Hopkins Studies in Atlantic History and Culture.


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