SongVault Artist Profile

Alfons Petrusi - Songwriter / Lead Vocalist

Wakaman means "wanderder" or "immigrant" in Taki Taki, one of the native languages you will hear in the country of Suriname. Wakaman's lead singer, Alfons Petrusi, grew up in the interior jungle of Suriname listening to the reggae sounds from across the Carribean sea. At a young age music became his vehicle to tell the story of his people and to escape from the struggles of poverty. Alfons immigrated to Portland, OR in 2003 and was fortunate enough to have met Bob Dunham ( guitarist ) in Suriname the prior year. Bob eventually connected him with Benjamin Scarola, with whom he produced and recorded his first full length CD. Alfons believes in the power of music to incite change – whether it may be in a single person or in an entire nation.

Petrusi also has a strong belief in the power of education. Having been lucky enough to have a solid education as a young boy, he was also fortunate to have the opportunity to study African American studies with a professor, Dr. E. Kofi Agorsah, from Portland State University for several years. Now, after having lived in the United States for over six years, and having become familiar with and fluent in the English language, Petrusi is ready to bring the knowledge he has gained back to his people, the Maroons and Native Amerindians of the interior of Suriname.

The country of Suriname has a unique history that sets it apart in terms of tradition, culture, language and education. Because it was once a Dutch colony with heavily imported West African slaves, most of the groups living in the interior are of African descent, and most also speak the native language, along with a small amount of Dutch. Although these elements make Suriname a unique country in itself, they also contribute to its isolation in a rapidly modernized, globalized world.

As Petrusi puts it, “Most of the world today communicates in English,” which is why he strongly believes in the importance and urgency of educating his people, especially in the area of the English language – so that they may further their abilities to communicate with, and, therefore, participate in, the issues and developments of the rest of the world. This way, the natives of Suriname may help themselves to rise out of poverty and start a new way of life for themselves and for future generations.