Photos of Palumeu, an Amerindian village in Sipaliwini, Suriname

Sipaliwini is the largest district of Suriname, located in the south, and larger than the other 9 districts of Suriname put together. Most of it is virgin jungle, and home to mainly Amerindian and Maroon villages. Palumeu, on the confluence of the Palumeu and Tapahony river, is an Amerindian village about 270 kilometres by plane south of Paramaribo.

Palumeu has a population of about 250 mainly Tiriyó (Trio), Wayana and some Akurio people. Palumeu Jungle Lodge offers beautifully situated accommodation for visitors, overlooking the Tapahony river, close to the village that now has mainly wooden houses, but also a traditional round thatched community hall (Pajman in Tiriyó and Tukuspan in Wayana). There is a Primary school, where instruction is in Dutch, a clinic and a church, where the service is in Tiriyó (Trio or Tarëno) and Wayana languages.

From the village trips can be made by motorised canoe on the Tapahony river and jungle walks to Topi Hill, with great views over the jungle to the mountains further south. It is a great opportunity to meet the original inhabitants of this land and appreciate the beauty of their country.