Bigi Kaaiman: Songs & Tales from Slavery Times

What do children's songs tell us about the history of slavery?

A very popular Surinamese children's song is ‘Bigi Kaaiman’. But does everyone know that behind that big caiman lies a story about the Maroons' struggle for freedom? On the initiative of Museum Geelvinck, Gerda LentenHavertong and Ronald Snijders went in search of such songs, with this documentary as the result.

In Bigi Kaaiman we ask ourselves to what extent the living musical heritage of Suriname in the form of children's songs, in which the memory of the history of slavery resonates, is still known today and passed on to future generations? The documentary was realised by Museum Geelvinck in collaboration with actress and singer Gerda LentenHavertong and flautist Ronald Snijders. The production was in the hands of Museum Geelvinck together with video producer Michel Agterberg.

The documentary Bigi Kaaiman will be screened on 17 October at the Bijlmer Park Theater, as part of the Black Achievement Month. After the break, Gerda LentenHavertong and Ronald Snijders, together with pianist Mark Milan and Giovanni Essed on percussion, will perform a selection of the songs from the documentary.