10 the negative spirits are gone, and then the population can return.19 Their relationship with their territory also transcends generations, as they place a special significance in the territories where their ancestors are buried.20 In addition, most villages have a piay, or shaman, who is the intermediary with the spiritual world and has healing powers.21 Their social relations are largely egalitarian,22 to the extent that some social activities are shared among different villages,23 and each village has an elder authority, some times referred to as “chief” or “captain”24. The territories and their resources are also fundamental for the preservation and expression of Kaliña and Lokono culture. Weaving of the matapi—a traditional basket made from palm—was traditionally a male task, but now more and more women are taking on this, as men sometimes have to seek out work outside their villages25. Members of Kaliña villages still practice traditional fishing, but given the incursions into their territories there has been a decrease in traditional hunting in some villages.26 The Kaliña language is the main language spoken in the villages of Christiaankondre, Langamankondre and Bigiston, while in Pierrekondre, Erowarte and Tapuku it is spoken to a lesser extent; the Lokono language is spoken by some in Marijkedorp and Alfonsdorp.27 The Kaliña and Lokono’s customary law contemplates collective ownership over their traditional lands, while subsidiary communal rights over land and resources are vested in kinship groups within each village.28 Each one of the villages observes the boundaries among the various villages.29 If a non-member of a village wants to use village lands, he or she must first 38. 19 Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, p. 18. 20 Annex 1. Petition, para. 40, Annex E, The historical use and occupation by Indigenous Peoples and communities of the Lower Marowijne River region of Suriname, p. 6. 21 Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, pp. 14, 93. 22 Annex 8. Submission of the petitioners, December 22, 2010, Expert Report of Dr. Stuart Kirsch, November 25, 2010, p. 19. 23 Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, p. 16 (explaining that the Kaliña villages of Christiaankondre and Langamankondre each have their own village leader, but they cooperate in areas such as education of children and health care). 24 Annex 9. IACHR, Hearing on the Merits, March 27, 2012, IACHR 144 Period of Sessions, Case 12.639 – Kaliña and Lokono Peoples, testimony of Kaliña Captain Richard Pané, from the village of Langamankondre, available at: http://www.oas.org/es/cidh/audiencias/TopicsList.aspx?Lang=es&Topic=22. 25 Annex 8. Submission of the petitioners, December 22, 2010, Expert Report of Dr. Stuart Kirsch, November 25, 2010, p. 20. 26 Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, p. 17. 27 Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, p. 14. 28 29 Annex 6. Petition, para. 44. Annex 6. Petition, para. 44. Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, pp. 15-18.