27 September 2015

Netherlands & Suriname Folk Costumes

I thought that I have not any stamp to share about the Sunday Stamps- II: Folk and National costumes. But then I received this stamp from the Netherlands:


Every year the Dutch Post issues a set of stamps entitled Grenzeloos ('Border Free'), dedicated to celebrate the ties between the Netherlands and other country. In 2010 it was Suriname.

The stamps are presented in sets of six, and there are three different sheets. Every sheet highlight a different topic. In this case, there are agriculture, regional costumes and architecture. So, as you can see, additional information is added in the margin (Here you can see the three sheets).

One of the stamps shows the koto, a traditional Creole dress. There are different theories about the origin of these dresses. One plausible explanation is that they date from the time of slavery and women wore it to make themselves unattractive to the advances of the plantation owner. The stamp that I received shows the angisa, the Suriname headscarf. The patterns and the folding of the angisa contain social and even political messages.


The koto and the angisa are presented in contrast to the traditional Dutch costume. I have also received some stamps about the regional folk costumes in the Netherlands, issued in 2013:


16 comments:

  1. Very interesting post, thank you for sharing! Love how stamps share so much.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for sharing!
    By the way, the Dutch word 'grenzeloos' has a double meaning: 'without border', literally, as you wrote, and 'unlimited', in all kind of meanings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for explaining! I found the two meanings of the word. I think both fit well with the idea of these stamps, that I love.
      So also thanks for sending! :D

      Delete
    2. My pleasure!
      And thank you for showing the koto. I thought I still had that stamp at home, but apparently I've sent away all stamps I had.

      Delete
  3. I think this series of stamps is a fantastic idea - as mail is, itself, grenzeloos'. Particularly interesting given the migrant/refugee issues facing europe/middle east right now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have received more of these series, dedicated to Belgium, Japan... I think this year they dedicate the 'grenzeloos' stamps to the USA: http://www.postnl.nl/en/about-postnl/press-news/news/2015/september/postal-stamps-depict-centuries-old-relationship-with-the-united-states.html

      Delete
    2. I think it great, Eva, that you did so much research in Dutch websites! Glad you added more info on the six stamps sheet and Surinam history.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for that link, Eva.

      Delete
  4. I enjoy joint stamp issues and the concept of grenzeloos is rather lovely (as they say you can see no borders from space). The sheets are beautifully designed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, I like the idea of "no borders" associated to stamps. The fact is that letters sometimes can cross countries more easily than people, isn't it?

      Delete
  5. Love learning new Dutch words!
    thank you for all those links - so much information in your post this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I think this stamps "without borders" are special.

      Delete
  6. I spent some time working in Holland, I should have paid more attention to Netherland stamps while I was there. Good to see these.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they deserve attention. I receive Dutch stamps frequently from my friend Heleen, and I'm amazed by their variety and designs.

      Delete
    2. Don't worry, Bob, I guess there were a lot of other things to see. And big chance that you wouldn' have found many different stamps. Since the post offices have disappeared, years ago, PostNL hires small post agencies (including personel) in office supplies shops, supermarkets etc, and since then the variety of stamps for over-the-counter sale has decreased extremely much.
      Most stamps I buy via the internet, via the official postNL site (http://collectclub.postnl.nl ) while some previously issued stamps we can find every now and then via other websites.

      Delete

Thank you for coming. All your comments make me extremely happy.