Papaïchton


Papaïchton is a commune in the overseas region and department of French Guiana. The village lies on the shores of the Maroni River. Papaïchton is served by the Maripasoula Airport.
The village which is the seat of the commune was named Papaïchton-Pompidouville in honour of the president Pompidou. It is on the border with Suriname.
Papaïchton is home to some of the Aluku people and the seat of their granman. The indigenous Wayana village of Abunasunga is also located in the Papaïchton commune.

History

Around 1710, Slaves escape from the plantations in Suriname, and band together in tribes. A tribe calling itself Aluku settled in Cottica over the border in Suriname. In 1760, the Ndyuka, another Maroon tribe, signed a peace treaty with the Society of Suriname allowing them autonomy. Boni also desired a peace treaty, but the Society of Suriname, despite contrary advice from the Dutch government, wanted to persecute and destroy the Aluku. Between 1768 and 1793, the Boni wars started in which the Ndyuka side with the Dutch colonists, and it resulted in many Alukus seeking refuge in France on the other side of the Maroni River.
In 1895, the village is said to have been founded by "granman Ochi". In 1930, the territory of Inini is founded, and one of the administrative divisions is Papaïchton. The territory of Inini allowed for an autonomous and self sufficient tribal system for the Maroons without clear borders. In 1946, French Guiana departmentalised, and the territory of Inini became an arrondissement.
In 1968, the municipal circle of Grand-Santi-Papaïchton was created, and a year later became a commune. Along with the commune, came a government structure, and francisation. Most importantly, it led to the concentration in bigger villages and the near abandonment of smaller settlements. In 1976 the communes separated in Apatou and Grand-Santi-Papaïchton, and finally in 1993, Papaïchton became an independent commune.

Transport

Papaïchton can only be accessed by air, or boat via the Maroni river. In August 2020, construction is planned to begin on the road to Maripasoula. There are plans to built a Route Nationale from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to Maripasoula; however, as of 2020, Route Nationale ends south of Apatou.

Incident at Loka

Loka is a hamlet in the commune of Papaïchton. In April 2006, 14 people of the same family, including 12 children, were found dead, believed to be the result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Villages