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Transcription: [00:35:25]
{SPEAKER name="Lisa Chickering"}
Well now, here is a wise race for the tropics - not the fastest, but the *slowest* rider takes the prize...

[00:35:35]
Afraid there's no telling what these Junior Kotomisi Headresses mean... not for a while, at least...

[00:35:45]
Something out of the ordinary is scheduled to take place almost hourly during this special day-- and by early afternoon the many people who have come from all parts of Paramaribo and the surrounding countryside fill the streets on their way to hear the Governor's annual Freedom Day address.

[00:36:02]
Although Freedom Day is mainly significant for the Negroes and Creoles - for it was their forefathers who were freed from the inhuman bonds of slavery - nevertheless everyone joins in the celebration and today everyone is wearing their very best finery - and nowhere else will you ever see such elaborate arrays of finely starched handkerchieves... worn on people's heads...

[00:36:28]
Well now, here's a woman though who believes in being a bit more practical... a pipe, a pot, and a bite to eat are enough for her ! [[audience laughter]]

[00:36:46]
The Chinese have gathered for the occasion, as have the Hindus, but one of the most unusal sights of all was a group of Ameri-Indians who had come in from the interior for the day -- they were the original inhabitants of Suriname, but as more and more people came to the country they pushed further back into the interior to seek shelter from civilization... So now only rarely can one get even a glimpse of them.

[00:37:10]
Of course the day wouldn't be complete without the grand finale of a big parade around Government Square. And this woman's dress is most appropriate for the occasion with the design being the broken chains of slavery.

[00:37:23]
Even the bush negroes had come in from the interior for the day. Previously they used to come in wearing the type clothes they wear in their own villages-- mainly, nothing. But now, in order to enter the city they must dress and it looks like pieces of cloth and large colorful bath towels are their favorite bits of wearing apparel.

[00:37:43]
Each group files past the Governmeor's Palace where he and his party view the whole spectacle from the balcony. The parade continued until nightfall with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves.