gifts.

Here you can download Aminata Cairo’s dissertation on

HEBI SANI: MENTAL WELL BEING AMONG THE WORKING CLASS AFRO-SURINAMESE IN PARAMARIBO, SURINAME.

Abstract

This dissertation describes the results of a two year anthropological investigation into the concept of mental well being among the working class Afro-Surinamese population in Paramaribo, Suriname. More specifically, the research investigated how working class Afro-Surinamese in Paramaribo, Suriname define and maintain their sense of mental well-being, given their unique ethnic identity within a multi-ethnic and multicultural society, and given that their environment is heavily compromised by negative globalizing forces…

Yeye Sani: an Afro-Surinamese concept of the self in a model of mental well being.

Abstract
This article presents a model of mental well being based in Afro-Surinamese knowledge, experience, and cultural history. The model is the result of a two-year-long ethnographic research project in Paramaribo, Suriname. Suriname is a former Dutch colony in South America, which is known for its harmonious, multi-cultural, and multi-ethnic society. The mental well being model entitled Opo Yeye – which translates into ‘‘Raising the Spirit’’ – reflects an extended sense of self which is traversed and governed by forces seen and unseen. Mental well being is achieved through striving for harmony between all these forces that contribute to the self. The article provides an in-depth exploration of the concept of the self and highlights the historical origins, yet its contemporary value.

Connecting Our Stories

From the Lectorate of Inclusive Education (2019), The Hague University of Applied Sciences:

Inclusive education is about creating optimal learning opportunities to accommodate students of all backgrounds, but requires dealing with those difficult issues…. We need to talk about that, but how?… In this volume the members of the knowledge circle and student branch have taken a first step. The assignment was to write about their involvement with the lectorate, but to share where their passion came from. There is a reason why you are so passionate about this (difficult) topic, something about your story that drives you to want to do this. Share that.

APPLYING ANTHROPOLOGY FROM THE ACADEMY: AFRICAN AMERICAN DRUMMING FOR COMMUNITY WELL BEING.

Abstract
Applied Anthropology developed out of a consciousness and a sense of responsibility for using anthropological skills to work with and for communities. Applied anthropology as practiced within academia is a relatively young branch of anthropology and is still trying to find a comfortable place within the discipline itself and the academic arena as a whole. This article explores the intricacies and negotiations inherent in academically applied anthropological research through an example of a community-based research project with an African American drumming organization. The emphasis is on the process of applied anthropological research and the intricacies involved.

Stories of Solidarity

Stories of Solidarity…. It is with great pride that I can announce that I am part of a team representing Netherlands/Suriname/USA, Mexico, South Africa, and Pakistan. My team members and I are engaging communities as part of an ISS (International Institute of Social Sciences) sponsored initiative. During the Covid lockdown wonderful stories were being shared about solidarity and support in The Hague. However some stories were absent or misrepresented. Through storytelling we are going to address that. We will engage with the predominately Islamic, Pakistani and Latinx communities through community organizations to collect stories and create representative stories. We are including students from arts and design and music to contribute. We will select storytellers from the community to lead the storytelling gatherings. We will also use the internet and social media to share these stories. We hereby hope to add to the The Hague story landscape; to learn about promoted, perceived and experienced solidarity; and to inspire and empower certain community groups with their own stories…

Stay tuned.