The song “Mi Rowsu / Tuintje in mijn hart” is a track by the Surinamese singer Damaru. He wrote it for his daughter Dinoura. “Mi Rowsu” means “My Rose” in Sranan Tongo. The song is about love and devotion. Damaru sings that he has a “little garden in his heart” and that this garden is meant only for her. This image symbolizes a love that is pure, exclusive, and cherished.

The song is very well known in Suriname because its lyrics and melody resonate with many Surinamese people through the mix of Sranan Tongo and Dutch, as well as its universal themes of love and connection. It reached #1 on the charts in both Suriname and the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, the single, released as a duet by Damaru and Jan Smit, achieved platinum status (20,000 copies sold) and won several major awards. In this way, it grew into a cultural symbol of pride and unity.

For many Surinamese people, the song is a source of pride, because it demonstrates that a Surinamese song can become internationally known without losing its Surinamese roots. For me, the combination of Sranan Tongo and Dutch in this song is also a sign of the bond between the countries. I'm still amazed at how few people in the Netherlands know that we all speak Dutch in Suriname, and how that actually came about.

My name is Merishna Ramtahalsing. I was born and raised in Suriname and have lived in the Netherlands for almost 10 years now. I have a very special bond with Enschede and the University of Twente, as I completed my master's degree and doctorate there. In recent years, I have also been chair of the Surinamese Student Association in Enschede (SUUT). The main goal was to promote Suriname and its culture. We also created a network of Surinamese students in Enschede and everyone else who has an affinity for the country or its culture. No matter where we are, Suriname always connects us in some way.