Maroon villages are usually built right on the banks of rivers because the rivers are the roads of the rainforest. People travel by dugout canoe, and children learn to paddle at a very young age. Houses are built on raised platforms and decorated with bright patterns carved into the wood or painted in bold colours - every village has its own style.
Maroon art is famous around the world. Woodcarvers create intricate patterns on everyday objects like paddles, trays and doors. Women produce beautiful patchwork textiles sewn together from brightly coloured fabrics. These art forms are passed down from parents to children, keeping the traditions alive.
The Saramaka people's way of life was so special that UNESCO added it to their list of 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'. That means their traditions - their stories, their music, their knowledge of the forest - are recognised as precious to all people everywhere, not just to Suriname.