Lucia Nankoe - Trouwportretten

Photo stories from the Surinamese past 1868-1950.

The over 140 family photos and stories illustrate how Surinamese people traveled to all corners of the world under Dutch rule. They sometimes found their partners elsewhere, in Aruba, Curaçao, or Bonaire, former Dutch East Indies, the Netherlands, or North America. The book provides a view of lives connected through marriage of Surinamese people who cross (national) borders, ethnicity, or religion. 
The family histories show that this rarely went easily. Yet most lovers followed the path of their hearts, and love often triumphed over the spirit of the times. The family stories are intertwined with important themes that characterize the colonial history of Suriname: slavery, contract labor, immigration and emigration, conflict and struggle. But also: connection, diversity, and unity. Therefore, the photos are not only significant for those who see a part of their family history immortalized in them, but they also embody a shared (inter)national history.
Some stories have been recorded by descendants, while others have been composed based on conversations, written information, or archival documents.

Black-and-photo photos
Text: Dutch
page: 287
ISBN: 9789090361031