“I have roots on both sides”: Kali’na people’s mobility in the cross-border region of the lower Maroni River since the 1950s

Marquisar Jean-Jacques

doi:10.3917/nomop.003.0104

Nomopolis 2025/1 N° 3

Journal article

“I have roots on both sides”: Kali’na people’s mobility in the cross-border region of the lower Maroni River since the 1950s

By Marquisar Jean-Jacques

Pages 104 to 124

JEAN-JACQUES, Marquisar,

2025. “I have roots on both sides”: Kali’na people’s mobility in the cross-border region of the lower Maroni River since the 1950s. Nomopolis, 2025/1 N° 3, p.104-124. DOI : 10.3917/nomop.003.0104. URL : https://droit.cairn.info/revue-nomopolis-2026-1-page-104?lang=en.

Jean-Jacques, Marquisar.

« “I have roots on both sides”: Kali’na people’s mobility in the cross-border region of the lower Maroni River since the 1950s ». Nomopolis, 2025/1 N° 3, 2025. p.104-124. CAIRN.INFO, droit.cairn.info/revue-nomopolis-2026-1-page-104?lang=en.

Jean-Jacques, M.

(2025). “i Have Roots on Both Sides”: Kali’na People’s Mobility in the Cross-Border Region of the Lower Maroni River Since the 1950s. Nomopolis, 3(1), 104-124. https://doi.org/10.3917/nomop.003.0104.

https://doi.org/10.3917/nomop.003.0104

Figure 1

Image description generated by AI: Map showing mudbank circulation in Guianas. Key rivers and regions labeled: Orinoco, Amazon, Maroni, and coastal plain.

This image is a map depicting the coastal plain of the Guianas region. It highlights several key geographical features and river systems. The map includes the Orinoco River delta in the north, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal plain is marked in blue, stretching along the coastlines of Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil. The map also shows the Amazon River delta in the south, indicating its extensive network. The Lower Maroni River is marked with a red arrow, flowing through French Guiana and into the Atlantic Ocean. The map identifies the zone of mudbanks circulation, which is a significant feature in the region. Key locations such as Cap Cassiporé and the borders between Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil are clearly marked. The map provides a visual representation of the geographical layout and the interaction between the rivers and the coastal areas.

Mudbank circulation along the coastal plain of the Guianas. Map by author.

Source: redrawn from Allison & Lee, 2004, p170

Figure 2

Image description generated by AI: Aerial photos of coastal area in 1955, showing family settlements in yellow.

The image consists of multiple aerial photographs depicting a coastal area from 1955. The main photograph shows a broad view of the coastline, including notable landmarks such as Yalimapo (Les Hautes), Pointe Isère, Apouah, Awala (Anse à l'Anguille), and Morne. The coastline features a series of bays and inlets, with varying landforms and vegetation patterns visible. There are several inset images within the main photograph, each providing a closer view of specific areas. One inset focuses on a section of the coastline near Pointe Isère, highlighting the terrain and vegetation in greater detail. Another inset zooms in on a different part of the coastline, showing more intricate land features and possibly some human-made structures. The settlements of different families are marked in yellow on the photographs, indicating their locations along the coastline. These settlements are distributed across various parts of the coastal area, suggesting a dispersed pattern of habitation. The scale bars in the images provide a sense of the size and distance, with measurements ranging from 100 meters to 1 kilometer, allowing for an understanding of the spatial relationships between different features in the landscape. Overall, the image provides a comprehensive view of the coastal area's occupation and land use in 1955, showcasing both natural and human-made elements.

Aerial photographs showing the coastal area occupation in 1955. Represented in yellow are the different families’ settlements.

Source: IGN, remonter le temps.

Figure 3

Image description generated by AI: Three aerial images showing changes in the Mana River estuary from 1988 to 2013, highlighting shifts in land and water distribution.

The image consists of three aerial photographs showing the changes in the Mana River estuary over time, specifically between 1988 and 2013, in front of Awala. The images are labeled with key geographical features such as Pointe Isère, Awala, Mana, and Yalimapo. The first photograph, dated 1988, shows the estuary with a narrow channel marked by a yellow line indicating a distance of 1.7 kilometers. The area around the estuary appears to be less vegetated with more visible land and water distinction. The second photograph, dated 2006, shows the estuary with similar geographical features. The yellow line again marks a 1.7-kilometer distance, but the surrounding area appears more vegetated compared to the 1988 image, indicating some changes in vegetation and possibly land formation. The third photograph, dated 2013, continues to show the estuary with the same 1.7-kilometer distance marked. The area around the estuary is even more vegetated, suggesting further changes in land and vegetation over the years. Each photograph includes a source citation at the bottom, crediting Marie-Thérèse Prost and Daniel Payeur for the images.

Changes in the Mana River estuary between 1988 and 2013 in front of Awala.

Photos courtesy of Marie-Thérèse Prost and Daniel Payeur

Figure 4

Image description generated by AI: Aerial view of coastal villages Langamankondre and Christiaankondre with sandy beaches, palm trees, and small boats.

The image depicts an aerial view of a coastal community named Galibi, which consists of two distinct villages: Langamankondre and Christiaankondre. The scene is characterized by a long, sandy beach that stretches along the coastline, with calm, shallow waters lapping against the shore. The beach is dotted with a few small boats, indicating local maritime activities. Behind the beach, there is a lush expanse of greenery, including numerous palm trees and other vegetation, which provides a dense, tropical backdrop. The villages are interspersed among the trees, with various buildings and structures visible. These include houses, possibly some commercial buildings, and other small constructions that suggest a close-knit, rural community. Langamankondre is situated towards the left side of the image, while Christiaankondre is located more towards the right. Both villages appear to be closely connected, sharing the same natural and built environment. The overall atmosphere is serene and picturesque, highlighting the natural beauty and simplicity of life in this coastal community.

The community of Galibi comprised of the villages of Langamankondre and Christiaankondre.

Photo courtesy of Dustin Refos

Figure 5

Image description generated by AI: Beach scene with buildings and trees. Coastal erosion shown with shoreline changes from 1950 to 2018.

The image consists of three distinct sections labeled A, B, and a map. Section A: This part shows a photograph of a coastal area with a house and some trees. The house is situated near the shore, and there is a visible path leading from the house to the beach. The beach itself appears to be sandy with some rocks and vegetation. The caption mentions "Digus de forung" and "M.Jean-Jacques." Section B: This part depicts a different view of the beach. A person is walking along a paved pathway that runs parallel to the shoreline. The pathway is bordered by a body of water, likely a pond or small lake, referred to as "Bassin d'eau." The caption also mentions "Fleche sableuse." The map: This section shows a satellite or aerial view of the coastal area. It highlights the village of Christiaankondre and includes two colored lines: a yellow line representing the shoreline in 2018 and a red line representing the shoreline in 1950. The map also indicates the location of a salt flat ("Fleche subliuse") and a covered area ("Plage couverte"). The map includes a scale bar indicating distances of 9 meters and 100 meters for reference. The source of the map is credited to "IGN, 2018."

The beach of Christiaankondre in 2022. The yellow line shows the shoreline in 2018; the red one shows the shoreline in 1950

Figure 6

Image description generated by AI: Aerial views showing landscape changes in Yalimapo from 1977 to 2022, highlighting Route côtière and Fleuve Maroni.

The image consists of three aerial photographs depicting the evolution of the landscape in the village of Yalimapo between 1977 and 2022. The photos are arranged in a horizontal row. The top-left photograph, sourced from J. Fretey in 1977, shows a coastal area with a sandy beach on the left side. The beach transitions into a vegetated area with scattered buildings and structures. A road labeled "Route côtière" runs parallel to the beach, separating the beach from the inland village. The village area is densely vegetated with clusters of buildings and structures. The top-right photograph, sourced from R. Leguen between 1990 and 1995, shows a similar coastal area but with noticeable changes. The beach remains on the left, and the road "Route côtière" is still present. The vegetation appears denser, and there are more buildings and structures in the village area. A notable feature is a large body of water or wetland area near the village, indicating possible changes in water levels or land use. The bottom photograph, sourced from M. Jean-Jacques in 2022, shows further development in the village. The beach and road remain consistent with the previous images. The village area has significantly expanded with more buildings and structures, indicating growth and development. The vegetation is still prominent, and the overall landscape shows a mix of natural and developed areas. Each photograph provides a snapshot of the evolving landscape in Yalimapo, highlighting changes in land use, vegetation, and infrastructure over nearly five decades.

Evolution of the landscape between the village of Yalimapo between 1977 and 2022.

Photo courtesy of Jacques Fretey and Roger Leguen

Figure 7

Image description generated by AI: Two maps showing the journey from Kuwasi to Sao José in 1950 and the new Kali'na village location in Brazil.

The image consists of two maps side by side. The left map illustrates the journey taken in 1950 by the Kali'na people from Kuwasi to Sao José in Brazil. Key locations marked include Kuwasi, several intermediate points, and Sao José dos Galibis. The journey is depicted with arrows indicating the direction of travel, starting from Kuwasi and moving southward along the coastline, crossing into Brazil. The map includes a legend explaining the symbols used, such as the red dots for villages and arrows for the migration route. The right map shows the current location of the Kali'na villages in Brazil. It highlights the Terre Indigène Kali'na, an indigenous territory. Key locations marked include Sao José dos Galibis, St. Georges de l'Oyapock, and Oiapoque. The map also includes a compass rose and a scale indicating a distance of 5 km for reference. The indigenous territory is shaded in pink, and the villages are marked with red dots.

The journey from Kuwasi to Sao José in 1950 (on the left). The new Kali’na village location in Brazil (on the right).

Source: https://terrasindigenas.org.br/es/terras-indigenas/3669

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