page_title: Granman
section_title: Government
hierarchical_section_title: Granman / Government
caption_attribution_description: English: Group portrait of Granman Amakti with his captains and a portrait of Queen Wilhelmina Nederlands: Repronegatief. Groepsportret van Granman Amakti met zijn kapiteins en een portret van koningin Wilhelmina
context_page_description: Granman is the title of the paramount chief of a Maroon nation in Suriname and French Guiana. The Ndyuka, Saramaka, Matawai, Aluku, Paramaka and Kwinti nations all have a granman. The paramount chiefs of Amerindian peoples in Suriname are nowadays also often called granman.
  The word comes from the Sranan Tongo language, a creole spoken in Suriname, and is derived from grand + man meaning "most important man." Granman was also used for the governors of Suriname. The word can be used in combination with other words: granman-oso is the Presidential Palace.
context_section_description: The paramount chief of a tribe is the granman.  Below the granman are the kabitens (captains) followed by the basiyas (aldermen). The stam lanti consists of all the kabitens and basiyas who meet at least once a year under the authority of the granman and decide the policy for the entire tribe.
  A village has a lo lanti (council) consisting of the kabitens and basiyas of the village who are advised by a council of elders. The lo lanti acts as the local government. In case of important decisions, the whole village participates (krutu) and a decision is taken on the basis of consensus.
  Government is based on unwritten rules and regulations called gwenti which are not all powerful. If decision cannot be reached, a lanti krutu (general meeting) is called consisting of the village elite and the priests. The meeting is chaired by the granman who does not speak directly to the people, but always via a momboor who speaks on his behalf. The granman may not be addressed directly either. All villagers are allowed to participate regardless of age or gender, however the elderly carry the highest weight.
  Once a year, the granman and his kabitens have to present themselves at the Government in Paramaribo.
caption: Granman Amakiti with his kabitens in Paramaribo (~1923)
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