Country file · South America

Cryptids of Suriname

What cryptids are in Suriname? The best-known are Watramama and Soucouyant.

Suriname’s folklore is shaped by Maroon, Creole, Amerindian, Hindustani and Javanese communities. Its Afro-Surinamese religion, Winti, includes water spirits such as Watramama, the river mother who combs her long hair on the bank.

  • 2 cryptids
  • 2 recorded sightings

Cryptids reported in Suriname

Lake & sea monster · Colonial era

Watramama

Rivers and creeks of Suriname and Guyana A mermaid-like water spirit of Suriname and Guyana, sometimes shown combing her hair on the riverbank, tied to the living Winti faith. Folklore
Spectral · Oral tradition

Soucouyant

Trinidad and the Caribbean A skin-shedding old woman of Caribbean folklore who flies as a fireball to drain sleepers’ blood; rice and salt are the classic defences. Folklore

The legends of Suriname

Because Winti is a living faith, which was outlawed from 1874 to 1971, these stories are described with respect for the tradition.

Hotspots

  • Interior rivers

    Settings for Watramama stories among Maroon and Creole communities.

Sightings timeline

  1. 1874–1971
    Colonial and post-colonial ban on Winti Watramama

    Practising Winti, including its water-spirit rites, was banned by law from 1874 to 1971.

  2. 2014
    First officially recognised Winti priest Watramama

    Dorenia Babel became the first person officially recognised as a Winti priest, showing the faith’s status today.

Nearby

Guyana2 cryptidsVenezuela3 cryptidsColombia3 cryptidsBrazil4 cryptidsBolivia2 cryptidsEcuador2 cryptids