The Kali’na of French Guiana have been part of the history of coastal Guyana since well before colonial times, but all too often they have been relegated to the margins of the great discourses on the territory. However, among the Kali’na, history does not live only in books: it continues in a language that is still spoken, in villages where memory remains anchored, in cultural practices that are still present, and in a relationship with the land that has never ceased to structure collective life.
If their names are back in the news today, it’s because an old colonial drama is resurfacing at the heart of public debate. To understand this moment, we need to look beyond a parliamentary sequence: we need to return to a living people, to a wounded memory, and to a transmission that, despite the ruptures of history, has never disappeared.
Who are the Kali'na of French Guiana?
The Kali’na of French Guiana are one of the six Amerindian peoples present in French Guiana. Their historical presence is concentrated mainly on the coast and in western Guiana, notably around Awala-Yalimapo, Mana, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and Iracoubo, with reports of their presence towards Cayenne and Kourou. Their language, Kali’na, belongs to the Carib family. It is the only Amerindian language of French Guiana to be spoken in five territories: Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil. The very word “Kali’na” refers to a strong self-designation, meaning “man, human being”.
This fact alone is enough to shift the gaze. The Kali’na of French Guiana are neither a heritage decoration nor a frozen survival. They belong fully to the territory’s present. Their history is that of a people whose coastal roots go back a long way, whose regional ties extend beyond today’s borders, and who, from the 16th century onwards, had to come to terms with the arrival of the European powers while preserving their own logic of alliance, circulation and transmission.
Why does the memory of the Kali'na matter today?
Kali’na memory is important today because it affects the way Guyana looks at its human foundations. For a long time, indigenous peoples were only mentioned in a secondary way in institutional narratives, as if they belonged first and foremost to the past. Yet Kali’na culture is still passed on in language, in stories, in family references and in bilingual educational materials, showing that this presence remains active. Also in 2024, educational resources in Kali’na and French were published based on stories rooted in the daily life of Awala-Yalimapo, a sign that transmission is not just a matter of memory, but also of the present.
This is what gives the current debate such profound significance. When a people continues to keep its language and cultural references alive, the question of ancestors cannot be reduced to an administrative issue. It touches on the continuity of a community, the dignity of its dead and the place accorded to its history in the public arena.
What happened in 1882 and 1892?
One of the most violent episodes in this history dates back to the end of the 19th century. In 1882 and again in 1892, Kali’na and Arawak from French Guiana were exhibited in Paris as part of ethnographic displays now recognized as part of the history of “human zoos”. These are not mere dates in a colonial chronology: they refer to displaced men, women and children, exposed to the public gaze and stripped of their humanity in the name of so-called scientific or exotic curiosity.
This memory has not remained theoretical. In the explanatory memorandum to the bill under discussion today, it is recalled that a request was made by the Moliko Alet+Po association for the return to French Guiana of human remains of Kali’nas people who had died in mainland France while being exhibited. The text specifies that six skeletons and two casts are involved, kept at the Musée de l’Homme. This clarification gives the affair particular force: colonial history is not only recounted, it is also materially present in public collections.
Why has Iracoubo become such an important place of memory?
Iracoubo has become a major place of remembrance since the inauguration, on August 11, 2024, of two statues in tribute to pi’pi Ahieramo, pi’pi Molko and the 47 Kali’na and Arawak exhibited in 1882 and 1892 at the Jardin Zoologique d’Acclimatation in Paris. This memorial has more than just a symbolic function. It inscribes a long-suppressed or relegated history into the Guyanese landscape, and gives descendants a place to reflect, to speak and to pass on.
Iracoubo thus becomes much more than a place of remembrance. The site links generations, brings history closer to the land, and reminds us that recognition also requires concrete gestures: naming, commemorating, transmitting, making visible. In a territory where colonial wounds have often been told from the outside, this reappropriation has considerable significance.
What is the current status of restitution?
The dossier reached a precise milestone in the spring of 2026. The draft law on the decommissioning of Kali’nas human remains and their return to the Guiana collectivity for burial purposes was submitted to the Senate on October 3, 2024. Visit April 13, 2026At the French National Assembly, Culture Minister Catherine Pégard confirmed the government’s support for this initiative. Visit April 15, 2026The accelerated procedure has been initiated. The text is due to be debated in a public session of the Senate on May 18, 2026.
This is not yet an effective return. The legislative process is not yet complete. The text provides for the removal from public collections of eight Kali’nas remains held at the Musée de l’Homme, and their return to the Guiana collectivity within a year of the law’s entry into force, for burial purposes. If a specific text was needed, it’s because the law of December 26, 2023 on the restitution of human remains belonging to public collections was designed for requests made by foreign states, and not for a French territory like French Guiana.
For the Kali’na of French Guiana, the issue goes beyond parliamentary law. It’s about dignity, reparation and how a people can finally hope to bring their dead back to their land. Through this sequence, an entire memory refuses to be kept at arm’s length.
The Kali’na of French Guiana are one of the Amerindian peoples who have been present in French Guiana for centuries. Their history is closely linked to the coast, particularly in western Guiana, where their culture, language and traditions continue to be passed on. To speak of the Kali’na of French Guiana is to recall that they are a living people, rooted in their territory and in a memory still carried on by current generations.
The memory of the Kali’na of French Guiana is important today because it provides a better understanding of an essential part of Guyanese history that has often remained in the shadows. It concerns not only the past, but also the present: language, family stories, places of memory and cultural transmission show that this history remains profoundly alive. It also reflects a demand for dignity for ancestors who were long treated with disrespect.
In 1882 and 1892, Kali’na and Arawak people from French Guiana were exhibited in Paris at ethnographic exhibitions now associated with the history of “human zoos”. This episode is one of the most painful in colonial history, as it reduced men, women and children to objects of public curiosity. It is this historical violence that still today explains the emotion and importance of the struggle to remember their ancestors.
Iracoubo has become a major place of remembrance in French Guiana since the inauguration, in 2024, of a memorial to the Kali’na and Arawak people exhibited at the end of the 19th century. This place of remembrance gives a tangible presence to a history long relegated to silence. It also makes it possible to inscribe this memory in Guyanese territory, as close as possible to the descendants and communities concerned.
An important milestone was reached in April 2026, when the French government declared its support for a bill providing for the return of Kali’na human remains to French Guiana. At this stage, the actual return has not yet been achieved, as the legislative process must be completed. But this step marks a major turning point: it recognizes that these human remains are not mere collector’s items, but ancestors whose return has been awaited for over a century.
The partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation marks an important step in the evolution of tourism policies in the Caribbean. At the ITB Berlin 2026 international trade fair, the region’s tourism leaders confirmed that they would strengthen their cooperation to support a more sustainable tourism model, more resilient to climate change and more focused on local communities.
In a region where the economy is heavily dependent on tourism, climate change is no longer an abstract issue. The effects of global warming, the intensification of weather phenomena and the erosion of coastal ecosystems now represent immediate challenges for many island territories. It is against this backdrop that the partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation takes on a strategic dimension. The objective is clear: to transform climate commitments into concrete actions capable of supporting the economic and social future of Caribbean destinations.
ITB Berlin, a strategic venue for the voice of the Caribbean
Every year, ITB Berlin brings together the world’s key tourism players: ministries, international organizations, airlines, destinations and industry experts. For the Caribbean, this event is an essential platform for recalling a reality that is often underestimated on an international scale: small island states are among the territories most exposed to the effects of climate change.
At a session devoted to the gap between climate risks and adaptation solutions in tourism, the Secretary General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Dona Regis-Prosper, highlighted the region’s real-life experience. The devastating hurricanes that regularly hit the Caribbean, rising sea levels and increasing pressure on marine ecosystems have had a profound impact on the territories. Today, this first-hand experience is a driving force for rethinking the region’s tourism strategies. The partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation is precisely in line with this dynamic of transformation.
Moving from climate talk to concrete solutions
At the heart of the partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation lies one overriding conviction: climate strategies must now go beyond declarations of intent. Caribbean destinations already have numerous studies, scientific data and prospective scenarios on climate risks. However, a persistent challenge remains: transforming this information into genuinely funded and operational projects.
This is one of the points raised by Narendra Ramgulam, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism at the Caribbean Tourism Organization. According to him, the region has no shortage of ideas and analyses, but the concrete implementation of projects is often hampered by a lack of access to funding. In this context, the partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation aims to bridge the gap between strategic planning and real action on the ground.
A tourism model focused on local communities
One of the major thrusts of the partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation concerns the role of local populations in tourism development. In many Caribbean destinations, the economic benefits of tourism sometimes remain concentrated in certain segments of the industry. The new cooperation framework aims to foster a more inclusive approach in which tourism projects generate direct benefits for communities.
This vision also implies a strengthening of local skills in sustainable tourism professions, as well as increased support for economic initiatives that enhance the region’s natural and cultural resources. This approach is in line with a global trend in the tourism sector. Today’s travelers are increasingly interested in responsible, authentic experiences that are closely linked to the realities of the areas they visit.
Caribbean tourism faces structural transformation
The partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation comes at a pivotal time for the Caribbean tourism industry. Several profound transformations are redefining the future of the sector. The intensification of extreme climatic phenomena, the gradual weakening of coral reefs, the erosion of certain beaches and the evolution of travelers’ expectations in terms of sustainability are gradually changing the balance of regional tourism.
These elements are not just about the environment. They directly influence the tourism experience, the competitiveness of destinations and the livelihoods of many local populations. Against this backdrop, strengthening the resilience of Caribbean tourism is becoming as much an economic priority as an environmental one.
International cooperation to strengthen resilience
The renewal of the partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation formalizes a strengthened collaboration between two organizations committed to the transformation of global tourism. The Travel Foundation has been working for several years on initiatives to make tourist destinations more sustainable, notably through climate planning, tourism flow management and ecosystem protection.
For its part, the Caribbean Tourism Organization represents the tourism interests of many of the region’s territories and plays a central role in coordinating regional policies. By combining their expertise, the two institutions aim to develop tools and strategies that will enable Caribbean destinations to better anticipate climate risks, while maintaining their attractiveness to tourists.
A regional vision for the future of Caribbean tourism
Beyond technical cooperation, the partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation is also part of a broader vision: that of a coordinated regional approach to sustainable tourism. The Caribbean shares many common realities. The economies of many territories rely heavily on tourism, the islands remain particularly exposed to climatic risks, and the region boasts an exceptional natural and cultural heritage.
In view of these common characteristics, regional cooperation appears to be an essential lever for developing solutions tailored to the specific characteristics of island destinations. This approach is also in line with the ambitions of the CTO Reimagine Plan, a strategy that aims to reposition Caribbean tourism around sustainability, innovation and resilience.
The Caribbean, a global laboratory for sustainable tourism
Through the partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation, the Caribbean is also seeking to assert its role in international debates on the future of tourism. The challenges facing the region today could foreshadow those that other tourist destinations will have to face in the coming decades. From this perspective, the Caribbean can become a veritable laboratory of innovation for climate-resilient tourism strategies, sustainable management of island destinations and the integration of communities into the tourism economy.
The stakes involved in the partnership between CTO and The Travel Foundation extend far beyond regional borders. The solutions developed in the Caribbean could inspire other regions of the world facing similar challenges.
The partnership aims to develop concrete strategies to make Caribbean tourism more resilient in the face of climate change, while supporting local communities.
Caribbean destinations have to cope with intensifying hurricanes, beach erosion, coral reef degradation and rising sea levels.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization aims to position the Caribbean as a sustainable destination, capable of reconciling tourism development, ecosystem protection and benefits for local populations.
The integration of Richès Karayib into the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) marks a new stage in the development of Caribbean media. This membership formalizes Richès Karayib’s regional roots and reinforces its determination to actively contribute to the structuring of the Caribbean media landscape.
In a context where the circulation of content remains fragmented between linguistic and geographic territories, joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union represents a strategic lever for boosting the visibility and circulation of Caribbean content.
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union, a pillar of the Caribbean media landscape
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union is the regional organization that federates the Caribbean media, covering radio, television, print and digital platforms. It plays a central role in cooperation between broadcasters, the circulation of content, the professionalization of players in the sector and the promotion of Caribbean productions.
Every year, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union organizes the CBU Media Awards. These awards recognize the most outstanding productions in radio, television, print and digital. These awards are a major event for Caribbean media professionals, helping to raise standards of journalistic and editorial quality in the region. By becoming a member of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Richès Karayib joins a structured and recognized network at the heart of regional media dynamics.
A strategic step for Richès Karayib
Since its creation, Richès Karayib has been promoting culture, heritage, tourism and the women and men who shape the Caribbean’s attractiveness and influence. Membership of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union consolidates this trajectory by opening up new prospects:
- – publishing cooperation on a regional scale
- – increased circulation of content
- – professional exchanges between member media
- – enhanced visibility with institutional and economic players
Joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union also enables Richès Karayib to place its productions within a demanding regional framework, where content quality, journalistic rigor and editorial impact are decisive. This new step comes at a time when the medium is developing its print, digital and audiovisual formats, with a clear ambition: to connect Caribbean territories beyond linguistic borders.
Building a structured Caribbean media space
The Caribbean is rich in talent, culture and initiative. However, content produced in one territory is still not widely distributed to other islands and countries in the region. One of the major challenges of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union is precisely to promote this circulation and encourage regional collaboration.
By joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Richès Karayib is affirming its desire to play an active part in this dynamic. This is not just institutional recognition, but a commitment: to contribute to a more connected, visible and structured Caribbean media.
This approach is in line with Richès Karayib’s mission to promote the region’s talents, initiatives and heritage, while encouraging synergies between regions.
Setting course for the CBU Media Awards
As part of this membership, Richès Karayib will take part in the 37th CBU Media Awards organized by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union. Richès Karayib’s participation is in line with the company’s commitment to professionalization and regional outreach.
Beyond the competition, the CBU Media Awards represent a space for Caribbean media to meet, exchange ideas and gain visibility. For RK, it’s a further opportunity to promote a committed editorial voice in the service of the Caribbean.
A new development phase
Joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union marks a natural evolution for Richès Karayib. After consolidating its presence in the French-speaking Caribbean, the medium is now taking a decisive step towards wider regional integration.
In a changing media environment, where cooperation, editorial quality and international visibility are essential, joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union is a strong signal.
Richès Karayib’s ambition is to contribute to a more visible, coherent and assertive Caribbean media.
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) is the regional media organization for the Caribbean, covering radio, television, print and digital platforms. It promotes cooperation, the circulation of content and the professionalization of players in the sector.
Membership of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union enables Richès Karayib to join a structured regional network, boost its visibility on a Caribbean scale and develop editorial collaborations with other member media.
The CBU Media Awards are an annual competition organized by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union to recognize the best radio, television, print and digital productions in the region.
CARNIVAL OF SAINT-LAURENT DU MARONI is officially launched. Since yesterday, Sunday January 11, with the arrival and crowning of the King of the Carnaval de l’Ouest, the town has been living to the rhythm of the 2026 edition, under the theme “Haut en couleurs”. Until February 18, 2026, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni will be one of the major centers of the Guiana Carnival, alongside Cayenne and Kourou, with a dense, popular program deeply rooted in local history.
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, a city of heritage and living memory
Located on the banks of the Maroni River, on the border with Suriname, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni occupies a singular place in Guyana’s cultural landscape. Labelled Town of Art and History, the town has a complex history, marked by its penitentiary past and a cultural diversity shaped by migration.
Founded in 1857, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni became the administrative center of Guiana’s penal colony in 1880 with the establishment of the Transportation Camp. Today, it has been converted into the Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (Architecture and Heritage Interpretation Centre). This major site, listed as a historic monument, still structures the city’s urban and symbolic identity.
The penal colony left a lasting demographic imprint: African, European, Indian, Chinese and Amerindian populations all contributed to forging a plural society. This diversity is fully reflected in local carnival practices, which combine Creole heritages, popular traditions and contemporary expressions.
Carnival in French Guiana: a long-standing social and deeply symbolic tradition
The CARNIVAL OF SAINT-LAURENT DU MARONI is part of the wider French Guiana’s Carnival, considered to be one of the longest in the world. It traditionally runs from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday, over six weeks of continuous festivities.
Beyond the festive aspect, the Guyanese carnival is a total social event. Heir to European traditions transformed by enslaved and then emancipated populations, over time it became a space for freedom, social satire and role reversal. Hierarchies are erased, bodies speak, masks are liberated.
Emblematic figures at the heart of Carnival
Impossible to mention the CARNIVAL OF SAINT-LAURENT DU MARONI without mentioning its mythical characters.
- – The Touloulou a fully masked female figure, embodies anonymity, elegance and emancipation. In masked balls, she wields a unique power: that of inviting men to dance, symbolically overturning social codes.
- – The Jé Farin, dressed in white and covered in flour, it harks back to the rural traditions and popular roots of carnival. Very much in evidence at Mardi Gras, it has been making a strong comeback in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni for several years now.
- – The King Vaval an ephemeral sovereign, reigns over the entire carnival period before being symbolically “put to death” on Ash Wednesday, bringing the festive cycle to a close.
Around them gravitate other strong figures: Diables rouges, Mariages burlesques, Nèg Marrons, Tololos, each carrying a symbolic charge linked to history, resistance and transgression.
2026 edition: the carnival is underway
The 2026 edition of the CARNIVAL OF SAINT-LAURENT DU MARONI is well and truly underway.
Yesterday, Sunday January 11, the town officially opened the season with the arrival and crowning of the King of Carnaval de l’Ouest, between 4pm and 7pm at La Roche Bleue, a founding moment that marks Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni’s entry into carnival time.
Since then, events, balls, parades, and cavalcades have been a regular feature of local life, and the program is set to intensify right up to the Jours Gras in February.
Complete official program - Carnival 2026
A structuring event for tourism and the identity of West Guiana
The CARNIVAL OF SAINT-LAURENT DU MARONI plays a central role in attracting tourists to Western Guyana. Accommodation, catering, river transport, crafts and local commerce all benefit directly from this busy period.
Beyond the festivities, carnival acts as a cultural a tool for cultural transmission a vector of identity and a lever of heritage enhancement for a city too often reduced to its prison past.
A carnival in motion, a city in celebration
The 2026 edition of the CARNIVAL OF SAINT-LAURENT DU MARONI is already well underway. Until Ash Wednesday, the town will continue to vibrate to the sound of drums, brass and dance steps, between popular traditions, contemporary expressions and intergenerational transmission.
The CARNIVAL OF SAINT-LAURENT DU MARONI is more than just a festive event: it’s a living memory, a living culture and a collective time deeply rooted in French Guiana‘s history.
Yes, the Saint-Laurent du Maroni Carnival 2026 is underway: it was officially launched with the arrival and crowning of the King of the Western Carnival, on Sunday January 11 at La Roche Bleue. The program continues until February 18, 2026.
Highlights include the Rencontre de l’Ouest (January 23), the Grande Parade de l’Ouest (February 1), and Jours Gras: Monday, February 16, Tuesday, February 17 (Jé Farin / Diables rouges) and Wednesday, February 18 (closing vide).
The major events of the Saint-Laurent du Maroni Carnival take place at La Roche Bleue, downtown (cavalcades), at Camp de la Transportation (parades/evenings), at the market (DJ entertainment), and at Gaby Place – Avenue Christophe Colomb (carnival evenings).
Air France inaugurates direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service French Guiana and the north of Brazil. This new air bridge promises to strengthen ties between two neighboring territories that are often little-known to each other. Whether you’re a professional, a student or a resident interested in regional dynamics, this opening marks a turning point in Franco-Brazilian relations.
A new air bridge between French Guiana and Brazil
History and background of the connection
Until now, French Guiana had only one direct link with Brazil : Cayenne-Belém. Since April 15, 2025, Air France inaugurates direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service becoming the second regular air connection between the two regions. This initiative meets a growing demand for mobility on both sides of the border.
Objectives of this opening
The stakes go far beyond tourism. According to Muriel Fred Charlotte, Air France’s Director for French Guiana, the aim is to “offer Guyanese the chance to be on the doorstep of Brazil more than once a week”. Air France inaugurates direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service to facilitate economic, educational and cultural relations, and encourage cross-border cooperation. Literary forums, artistic exchanges and sporting competitions will all benefit from simplified travel conditions.
Practical details of the Cayenne-Fortaleza route
Frequency, times and device type
The new route is operated every Tuesday from Cayenne, and every Wednesday from Fortaleza. The inaugural flight left Félix-Éboué airport at 1:05pm, with 160 passengers aboard an Airbus A320 configured for 170 seats. Air France inaugurates its direct Cayenne-Fortaleza route with an aircraft offering comfort, stability and WiFi connection for passengers.
Rates and accessibility
Round-trip fares start at €400, slightly higher than the Cayenne-Belém fare due to the longer flight time. These fares strike a balance between accessibility for passengers and economic viability for the company. Air France inaugurates its direct Cayenne-Fortaleza route service, based on a model similar to that used by Azul before the pandemic.
Fortaleza: a gateway to Brazil
Connectivity to major Brazilian cities
Air France inaugurates direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service by capitalizing on the appeal of a crossroads city. Thanks to agreements with the Brazilian airline Gol, travelers can easily reach the country’s main cities from Fortaleza: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, Salvador de Bahia, Belém, and of course Fortaleza itself. These connections considerably expand the possibilities for travel from French Guiana.
Fortaleza’s tourist and economic assets
Fortaleza, capital of the state of Ceará, is already popular with Guyanese and West Indians. Known for its beaches, leisure facilities such as the Beach Park, and access to renowned sites such as Jericoacoara, it also attracts entrepreneurs from the Caribbean. With its booming economy, the city offers opportunities for investors interested in South-South trade.
Impact on French Guiana and the Caribbean region
Tourism and economic development
Air France inaugurates direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service and the whole region benefits. By strengthening links with Brazil, French Guiana and the West Indies are opening up new commercial and professional circuits. This line supports local initiatives, encourages entrepreneurial cooperation and offers a gateway to the immense Brazilian market.
Strengthening cultural and sporting exchanges
Relations between French Guiana and Brazil are already taking shape in a number of areas. This new service will encourage the movement of artists, students and sportsmen and women. Cultural institutions such as music schools and literary festival organizers will also benefit from this improved connectivity. Air France inaugurates direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service to provide concrete support for these ongoing dynamics.
Outlook and ambitions for the future
Expanding routes and new opportunities
With two weekly flights to Belém and Fortaleza Air France inaugurates its direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service for the long term. The company makes no secret of its ambitions to further expand its services, should demand continue to grow. This dynamic approach responds to a shared aspiration: better regional integration between French Guiana, the West Indies and Brazil.
Guyana’s strategic role in regional connectivity
Thanks to its geographical position, French Guiana is becoming a key player in South American mobility. Air France inaugurates direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service by positioning French Guiana as an interface between the Caribbean, mainland France and the Brazilian subcontinent. This development contributes to enhancing the region’s value, both in terms of economic exchanges and the circulation of knowledge and talent.
Air France inaugurates direct Cayenne-Fortaleza service.This decision goes beyond the simple addition of a new road. This line will consolidate existing bridges, create new ones, and put French Guiana on the path to increased exchanges with its neighbors. Entrepreneurs, students, cultural and sports professionals will all benefit. The skies between French Guiana and Brazil have never been so open.
