Gunsi-Maroon Culture
The village of Gunsi is located at the Upper-Suriname River, approximately 45 minutes from Atjoni. At the edge of this Saramaccan village you’ll find a small scale and basic tourist resort called Tei Wei. Because of the location of the resort you’ll get to experience the Maroon culture very up-close. The wooden houses are simple, but have an astonishing view over the river. The guide originates from this area and lets you personally experience the culture and local traditions.
Gunsi is connected with two other villages upstream, which are easily accessible by a well maintained trail through the woods. This takes approximately one hour by foot, which makes it a nice opportunity for hikers. Gunsi is also a great place to swim, at the rapids you’ll enjoy a delightful natural massage. A sandbank appears, at reflux, on the surface in the middle of the river. You can relax in the warm sand and take a swim whenever you like.
Several activities are included in the program to make sure you’ll fully experience the different aspects of the interior and its culture. The guide takes you on an extensive forest walk and a walk through the (bigger) village of Nieuw-Aurora. You can also try to catch a fish at the nearby rapid (maybe even a piranha) which can be smoked at the campfire at night. During this trip there’s plenty of time to swim, relax in your hammock while enjoying the view and get to know Gunsi’s residents (children and adults).
