Pamacca

Paramacca (also Pamacca^[1]) is a resort in Suriname, located in the Sipaliwini District.^[3] The population is estimated between 1,500 and 2,000 people.^[2] In 1983, the Sipaliwini District was created, and the eastern part became the resort of Tapanahony.^[4] The Paramacca resort is the northern part of Tapanahony, and mainly inhabited by the Paramaccan people,^[4][5] the border of the resorts is the island of Bofoo Tabiki in the Marowijne River.^[5]

Paramacca
Resort
House in Langetabbetje (1947)
Map showing the resorts of Sipaliwini District.   Paramacca
Coordinates: 5.0836°N 54.5475°W / 5.0836; -54.5475
Country	Suriname
District	Sipaliwini District
Area [1]
• Total	3,233 km2 (1,248 sq mi)
Population [2]
• Total	1,500−2,000
• Density	0.46−0.61/km2 (−1.1/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-3 (AST)

The administrative centre of the resort is located in Snesiekondre, and was completed in 2012.^[6] The District Commissioner for the resort is Margaretha Malontie.^[7]

The Paramaccans were runaway slaves who had made a peace treaty with the Colony in 1872.^[8] In 1879, a group of about 90 Paramaccans led by Apensa created a settlement on an island in the Marowijne River near the mouth of the Paramacca Creek. The town was named Langatabiki (Long Island).^[9]

The resort of Paramacca consists of the current area settled by the Paramaccans.^[4]

Villages

The resort is made up of 13 tribal villages which are mainly located on the Lower Marowijne River, and is home to the non-tribal village of Stoelmanseiland. The main village of the resort is Langatabiki which is the residence of the granman of the Paramaccan people.^[1]

Medische Zending operates health care clinics in Langatabiki, Nason, and Stoelmanseiland.^[10]

Schools are present in Gakaba, Langatabiki, Nason, and Stoelmanseiland.^[1]

Economy

A major part of the economy of Paramacca is gold prospecting by the Newmont Corporation. Ecotourism has become an important addition in the early 21st century.^[2] Holiday resorts have opened near the Armina waterfalls, and Stoelmanseiland.^[1] Cassave is the main agricultural crop.^[11]

Transport

The area can be reached by car via an unpaved road between Moengo and Langatabiki, from where there is access to the East-West Link.^[12] Plans have been developed to pave the road to Moengo, and built one road from Langatabiki via Stoelmanseiland to Benzdorp, and another from Langatabiki to Brokopondo.^[13]

Paramacca is served by Langatabbetje Airstrip and Stoelmans Eiland Airstrip offering Blue Wing scheduled services from Paramaribo.^[14]