Kodjo
Drawing of Kodjo (1833)
Born1800s
Surinam
Died26 January 1833
Paramaribo, Suriname
Other namesCojo, Codjo, Andries
OccupationSlave

Kodjo also Cojo[1] and Codjo[2] (1800s – died 26 January 1833) was a Surinamese slave. On 26 January 1833, he was burnt alive for starting the 1832 fire in Paramaribo which caused the destruction of 46 houses.[3][4] Kodjo used to be known as a criminal. Nowadays, he is remembered as a resistance fighter.[1]

Biography

Kodjo was born on a Monday, and therefore named Kodjo. He was a slave of D.M. Sanches,[5] but seconded to Mrs. Smith who ran an inn in Paramaribo. Smith called him Andries, and was known for her cruelty.[6] In July 1832, Kodjo had sold bread in the street. Upon his return, Smith counted the money, and discovered that 2½ cents were missing.[7][8]

Kodjo ran away, and found refuge in Picornobosch in Kwatta near Paramaribo.[9] In the forest, he banded together with Mentor, Present, and other slaves who had also escaped.[10] The group occasionally went to the city to steal and rob supplies.[11]

Fire

On the night of 3 on 4 September 1832, Kodjo and his group, went to the house of Mozes Nunes Monsanto whom Kodjo knew well. After sneaking in, they proceeded to steal food from the kitchen.[12] Kodjo went up to the bedroom where he observed a child and female slave asleep.[13] He then set fire to the laundry and curtains, and proceeded to the shop where he stole some goods.[14] The fire quickly spread out of control, and caused the destruction of 46 houses.[4]

Present and Mentor were first arrested in connection with the arson.[15] Kodjo and the others were arrested on 3 October.[16] They were detained in Fort Zeelandia. Kodjo attempted to escape on 11 December 1832, but was apprehended by citizens and returned to the fort.[17]

Trial and execution

During the interrogation, Kodjo said that he wanted to burn down the city, and dispel the whites.[18] On 10 January 1833, the slaves were charged with rebellion, and arson. Kodjo, Mentor and Present were found guilty of arson and rebellion, and sentenced to be burnt at the stake.[17] Winst and Tom were only found guilty of rebellion, and therefore, sentenced to be hung.[17] Four other run away slaves, were sentenced to 15 years hard labour.[19] The execution would take place at the remains of the house of Monsanto.[20] When Kodjo heard the sentence, he shouted: "Da ston srefi moesoe broko" (The stones must be broken), and smashed his handcuffs against the stone windowsill.[17] On 26 January 1833, the execution was carried out.[17] Kodjo was about 30 years old.[6]

Aftermath

Memorial for Kodjo, Mentor and Present

Kodjo has been recognized as a resistance fighter.[21] As of 1993, there is a yearly remembrance of the event.[1] On 26 January 2000, the square near the former house of Monsanto was renamed Kodjo, Mentor en Present Pren,[8] and Erwin de Vries was commissioned to build a monument for Kodjo, Mentor and Present.[22]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Cojo, Mentor, Present". Slavernij en Jij (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  2. ↑ Rikken 1904.
  3. ↑ "Oog in oog met Paramaribo". De Lees Club van Alles (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Paramaribo Suriname". Suriname.nu (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  5. ↑ Teenstra 1842, p. 271.
  6. 1 2 Rikken 1904, p. 25.
  7. ↑ Rikken 1904, p. 26.
  8. 1 2 Michiel van Kempen. Een geschiedenis van de Surinaamse literatuur. Deel 3 (in Dutch). p. 128. ISBN 99914-640-4-2.
  9. ↑ Rikken 1904, p. 37.
  10. ↑ Teenstra 1842, pp. 272–273.
  11. ↑ Teenstra 1842, pp. 274.
  12. ↑ Teenstra 1842, p. 275.
  13. ↑ Teenstra 1842, p. 276.
  14. ↑ Teenstra 1842, p. 277.
  15. ↑ Rikken 1904, p. 240.
  16. ↑ Rikken 1904, p. 265.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cojo:"Da ston srefi moesoe broko"". Suriname.nu (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  18. ↑ "CODJO, MENTOR EN PRESENT". Plantage Jagtlust (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  19. ↑ Teenstra 1842, p. 290.
  20. ↑ Teenstra 1842, pp. 287–288.
  21. ↑ "Herdenking Kodjo, Mentor en Present". Waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  22. ↑ "Kodjo, Mentor en Present Pren krijgt toegevoegde waarde". Werkgroep Caraibische Letteren (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 March 2021.

Bibliography

5°49′32″N 55°09′26″W / 5.82555°N 55.15711°W / 5.82555; -55.15711

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