Hindoestanen

The Hindoestanen are an ethnic group of South Asian origin in the Netherlands and Suriname. The Hindoestanen began migrating to Suriname in 1873 from what was then British India as indentured labourers, many from the modern-day Indian state of Bihar and its surrounding regions. Just before and just after the independence of Suriname on 25 November, 1975 many Hindoestanen emigrated to the Netherlands. As of 2007, about 217,000 of the total of 392,000 live in the Netherlands.

Etymology

Hindoestanen is a Dutch word derived from Hindustani, a Persian word for someone from Hindustan (India). Hence, when Indians migrated to Suriname they were referred to as Hindoestanen.

Religion

The majority religion among the community is Hinduism, practiced by (83%) of the people, followed by Islam at (17%). Among the Hindu Hindoestanen about 60% follow traditional Hinduism that they call Sanatan Dharm to differentiate themselves from the 25% who belong to the reform movement Arya Samaj, started by Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Caste distinctions lost much of their importance in Suriname. Minor Hindu denominations include the Sai Baba sect and the Brahma Rishi Mission.

Language

Some Hindoestanen can speak a dialect of Hindi, Bhojpuri or popularly referred as Sarnami apart from Dutch.

Notable Hindoestanen in The Netherlands

• Tara Singh Varma Dutch GreenLeft politician
• Prem Radhakishun Dutch presenter and lawyer
• Karl Noten Dutch presenter
• Anil Ramdas Dutch reporter
• Kiran Sukul Dutch bollywood actress
• Narsingh Balwantsingh Dutch bollywood actor

See also

• Hinduism in the Netherlands