This book offers a penetrating analysis of the Surinamese Civil War (1986–1992) from the perspective of the Indigenous population; a perspective that has remained underexposed until now. Central to the study is the question of how their experiences shaped their role and participation in this war.

The study places the war in a broader historical context by looking back at the 1970s, a period in which the struggle for land rights became increasingly intense. The impact of the coup of February 1980 and the deeper causes of the conflict are also carefully analyzed. This creates a layered picture of the tensions that ultimately led to war.

To reconstruct the war years, the author combines oral history with systematic newspaper research. This approach makes it possible to follow events accurately and chronologically, while simultaneously providing space for personal experiences. Particular attention is paid to the direct consequences of the violence for Indigenous communities and the confrontations with the Jungle Commando.
The book shows how previous experiences of marginalization helped determine the position of Indigenous groups during the war. The author examines the origins and development of the Indigenous resistance group Tucayana Amazones. He discusses how Indigenous actors organized themselves and found their place within a complex and violent historical reality.