De Grote Boom

De Grote Boom (The Great Tree)
– The Forgotten Story of the Boeroes in Suriname

Migration is a timeless and global phenomenon. Photographer Ton Groot Haar travelled to Suriname in search of the Boeroes – descendants of 400 impoverished Dutch settlers who, around 1845, dared to cross the ocean in hopes of a better life. Within just a few months, half of the group had died of dysentery. The survivors managed to build a life in Suriname. Due to their small numbers, the Boeroes have become a forgotten group in both the Netherlands and Suriname. They are not connected to colonialism or slavery, nor were they indentured labourers, and they certainly aren’t Bakra – white Dutch colonists. They don’t quite fit in anywhere. Few people are familiar with their unique history and their position in Surinamese society. Today’s generation is fully Surinamese, yet they take pride in their heritage and in their Dutch ancestors who bravely ventured into an entirely different world.
This photo book tells the story of the Boeroes in Suriname – a story of migration, two worlds, and resilience.

Ton Groot Haar (Almen, 1957) is a documentary photographer who believes in the strength of the human spirit. No matter what your background or experiences are, you can shape your own life. For Ton, the camera is a social instrument that helps him step outside his own bubble, meet remarkable people, and tell their stories. A sense of equality between him and the people he photographs is essential to his work. Key themes in his photography are resilience and dual worlds.
For more information: www.groothaar.nl.