Johannes Alabi (also Arabi)(–1820) was

granman Granman (Ndyuka language: ''gaanman'') is the title of the paramount chief of a Maroon (people), Maroon nation in Suriname and French Guiana. The Ndyuka people, Ndyuka, Saramaka, Matawai people, Matawai, Aluku, Paramaccan people, Paramaka and Kwint ...

of the Saramaccans, a

Maroon Maroon ( US/ UK , Australia ) is a brownish crimson color that takes its name from the French word ''marron'', or chestnut. "Marron" is also one of the French translations for "brown". According to multiple dictionaries, there are var ...

people in

Suriname Suriname (; srn, Sranankondre or ), officially the Republic of Suriname ( nl, Republiek Suriname , srn, Ripolik fu Sranan), is a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north ...

. He was of

Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...

West African descent. Alabi was born around 1743 in Munyawoyokiiki in Boven Suriname. His father would later become granman (paramount chief) of the tribe. In 1767 his father was killed by the

Matawai Matawai can refer to: * Matawai people, an ethnic group of Suriname *Matawai language Saramaccan () is a creole language spoken by about 58,000 ethnic African people near the Saramacca and the upper Suriname River, as well as in Paramaribo, cap ...

, and he swore to revenge his father's death. In September 1767, elders of the tribe persuaded to bury the hatchet, because he could become the next granman. He came into contact with missionaries of the Moravian Church who taught him to read and write, and he aided them with the development of a Saramaccan-

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

dictionary. On 6 January 1771, he was christened. In 1783, he was elected granman of his tribe. He died in 1820.

References

1740s births 1820 deaths People from Sipaliwini District Saramaka {{Suriname-bio-stub