Djuka: The Bush Negroes of Dutch Guiana by Morton C. Kahn is an ethnographic study that explores the lives and culture of the Djuka people, also known as the Ndyuka or Aukan, who are Maroons of Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana). The Maroons are descendants of African slaves who escaped from plantations and established independent communities in the South American rainforest.
Kahn, an anthropologist and physician, provides a detailed account of the Djuka’s social structure, traditions, spiritual practices, and daily life. The book highlights their resilience, unique cultural heritage, and the ways they preserved African traditions while adapting to their new environment in the Americas.
Published in the mid-20th century, Djuka: The Bush Negroes of Dutch Guiana is a valuable resource for understanding Maroon societies and their historical significance. Kahn’s work offers a respectful and insightful portrayal of a community that has maintained its identity and autonomy despite centuries of adversity.
