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The Javanese of Suriname The Javanese of Suriname
- From: madsolehcom
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Description:
A history of colonial labour and migration has produced a unique community far from Indonesian shores
Perhaps few people in Indonesia know that there is a large community of people of Indonesian descent living in the north of the continent of South America. Over 70,000 ‘Javanese’ live in Suriname, a former Dutch colony and vibrant multicultural country located north of Brazil on the Caribbean coast. Although they have been there for several generations, many of them still identify as Javanese, even though very few have ever visited the island of Java or maintain family connections there. But they speak a creolised version of the Javanese language, Javanese names crop up at all levels of society and elements of Javanese culture (such as cuisine) have influenced this Caribbean nation’s culture.
A colonial history
Why are tens of thousands of people of Javanese descent living in Suriname? It all has to do with the abolition of slavery and the importance of the plantation system in this colony. In 1863, the Dutch government freed more than 33,000 slaves in Suriname. In the aftermath of this abolition, the authorities followed other Caribbean colonies by importing indentured workers from British India to supply the plantations with cheap and submissive labour. The five-year contracts detailed the rights and the duties of the indentureds. Crucial to the contract labour system was the so-called penal sanction, which gave the employer the right to press criminal charges against indentureds who broke their labour contract.
Between 1873 and 1916 more than 34,000 British Indians came to Suriname. Soon, however, doubts arose on the source of this contract labour. The main problem was that the British Indian immigrants remained foreign nationals, and therefore a considerable proportion of the population of Suriname would soon be British. Moreover, these subjects could appeal against the decisions of the highest Dutch authority and request assistance of the British consul, which would not enhance the submissiveness of the labour force. Additional worries were the reliance on a foreign country for labour and the growing nationalist movement in India, which fiercely attacked the system of contract migration. Indeed, in India the system was abolished in 1916.
Turning to Java
Java was considered as an alternative source of labour. Initial attempts to import people from Java came to naught because the Dutch government did not permit the migration of Javanese when there existed the possibility of acquiring labour in India. Yet the movement to recruit Javanese gained strength in the 1880s due to the changing political climate in India. Another advantage was that the Dutch themselves would be in control of the recruitment and immigration process and would not have to compete with other recruiting nations, as was the case in India.
Javanese cultural traditions have proven to be strong, even though changes and adaptations in Suriname, for example in language, were inevitable
The Dutch colonial minister objected to emigration from Java as late as 1887 by arguing that the populace of Java was not inclined to migrate to far-away and unknown Suriname. After heavy lobbying from Surinamese planters and officials, the government finally decided to allow a first experiment with one hundred Javanese contract migrants in 1890. Despite doubts about the physical strength of the new labourers, Javanese migration to Suriname was now authorised. In total, almost 33,000 Javanese migrated to Suriname in the period 1890-1939. Central Java and the regions near Batavia (Jakarta), Surabaya and Semarang were the main recruitment areas. Only 20 to 25 percent of the Javanese migrants returned to their home country before World War II. The great majority of the immigrants settled permanently in Suriname.
The migrants were assigned to plantations. According to the contract, the plantation had to provide free housing for its indentured labourers. However, the quality of the housing was often substandard. The Dutch East Indian official H. van Vleuten, who visited Suriname in 1909 to investigate the living and working conditions of the Javanese, reported that the domestic life of the Javanese immigrants appeared to him as ‘rather sad’. Most of the rooms ‘gave the impression of great poverty of their inhabitants.’ The labour contract fixed the wages of men and women, yet most indentureds pointed out that they did not earn the listed wages. Van Vleuten concluded that ‘the average wage earned by contract labourers is far below the minimum.’ He argued that the earnings were much too low to make a living in a colony as expensive as Suriname.
Besides these material problems, the Javanese also had to cope with adjustment to a new life, diet, and work regime in an often hostile environment. Not surprisingly, homesickness plagued many of the migrants. The desire to return to Java served as a form of escapism. This escapism and other techniques, such as feigned illnesses, served as hidden forms of protest against the indenture system.
Cultural continuity
A family of Javanese peasants at Meerzorg plantation
KITLV Special Collections
Javanese cultural traditions have proven to be strong, even though changes and adaptations in Suriname, for example in language, were inevitable. Yet second and later generations still identify with their country of origin. The Surinamese government also actively promoted the survival of Javanese culture in the period before World War II. In the 1930s, the governor initiated an ‘Indianisation’ project to populate the colony with Javanese smallholders, who would settle in Javanese-style villages (desa) complete with their own religious and civil leadership. This program was cut short by the war.
After the war, the changed political landscape allowed for the formation of political parties in Suriname. The two Javanese parties were, like all other parties, based on ethnicity rather than ideology. There existed a strong rivalry between their leaders, Iding Soemita and Salikin Hardjo. The latter was not very successful in the first general elections in 1949 and then concentrated on encouraging a return to Java by a select group of skilled people. In 1954, one thousand Javanese sailed for Indonesia, to start an agricultural co-operative in Tongar in West Sumatra. A second exodus took place in the 1970s, when some 20,000 Javanese left for the Netherlands on the eve of Suriname’s independence in 1975.
Politically, the importance of the Javanese population group is indisputable
Politically, the importance of the Javanese population group is indisputable. The Javanese often hold the balance between the larger and more powerful Afro-Surinamese and Hindustani (former British Indians) groups. At present, Paul Slamet Somohardjo is the first-ever Javanese Speaker of the National Assembly. Their socioeconomic development was slower, but since the 1960s the Javanese have been catching up with other population groups, even though the urbanisation rate is still lower than that of other large groups. Following the demise of the plantations in the first half of the twentieth century, many Javanese found work in the bauxite industry and the agricultural sector. Only in the last decades of the last century did the Javanese presence in businesses, the professions and the civil service increase.
Demographically, the Javanese have long been the third largest population group, but the Maroons (descendants of runaway slaves) narrowly surpassed them in the most recent census of 2004. According to these figures, the Hindustani group counts 135,000 people, followed by the Afro-Surinamese (87,500), Maroons (72,600), and Javanese (71,900). The Javanese have added a unique ethnic and cultural element to the Caribbean and Latin America. Yet, this has not generated much research interest in the Javanese and their culture. Therefore it would be good to gain more knowledge about the lives, culture, and progress of the Javanese in Suriname. It is certainly worth it!
Source: Rosemarijn Hoefte ( hofte@kitlv.nl ) is head of the Department of Collections and coordinator of the Caribbean Expert Center at the KITLV Institute, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
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Piye Kabare Piye Kabare
- From: djokdjamaica
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Description:Hi Piye konco konco kabare? apik wae to?
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
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Weer thuis Weer thuis
- From: madsolehcom
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Description:Na een leuke tijd te hebben gehad in South Carolina, ben ik weer thuis. Even weer werken tot Vrijdag en weer feesten. Hopelijl hebben jullie ook een lekkere feestdagen gehad. Tot zo..
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
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java culture and history java culture and history
- From: Maura
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Description:
My web is about Java and its culture.
Hopefully my web can give you a lot of information about Java.
If you do not interest to my web, you will not lose anything.
Please don’t be disappointed.
I am just offering you some information that you need.
I would like to invite you visiting my web at www.pangarsa.blogspot.com
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
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Politically Correct Politically Correct
- From: Ref
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Description:
While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the man.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it's time to visit heaven."
So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. "Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.
Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder."I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"
The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...... Today you voted." - Blog post
- 2 years ago
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- Views: 696
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A test A test
- From: DeeJay
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Description:I will start my own blog content soon.
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
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Oye Oye
- From: madsolehcom
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Description:
To All Members and Guests of Campuran.com, we would like to wish a Merry Christmas and A Prosperous 2008.
- The Crew
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
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Amerikanen Amerikanen
- From: Ref
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Description:
Als we met de Amerikanen kunnen lachen... ... zijn we er als de kippen bij...
De oude Mustafa leeft al meer dan 40 jaar in New York.
Hij wil graag in zijn tuin aardappelen planten, maar hij is alleen en oud en zijn zoon leeft in Irak. Hij schrijft een e-mail aan zijn zoon:
'Lieve Ahmed. Ik ben erg verdrietig omdat ik in mijn tuin geen aardappelen kan planten.
Ik weet zeker dat jij me had geholpen de tuin om te spitten, als je hier was geweest.
Ik hou van je. Je Vader'
De zoon schrijft meteen terug:
'Lieve Vader. Raak alsjeblieft niets in de tuin aan!
Ik heb daar namelijk 'het spul' verstopt. Ik hou ook van jou.
Ahmed'
Nog geen 2 uur later staan de US Army, de Mariniers, de FBI en de CIA voor het huis van de oude man. Ze spitten de tuin spade voor spade om, zoeken iedere millimeter af, maar vinden niks. Teleurgesteld gaan ze weer weg.
Dezelfde avond nog krijgt de oude man een e-mail van zijn zoon:
'Lieve Vader. Hoogstwaarschijnlijk is de tuin nu helemaal omgespit en kan je aardappelen planten.
Meer kon ik op deze afstand niet voor je doen.
Ik hou van je. Ahmed'
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
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- Views: 592
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Suriname: The beating heart of Suriname: The beating heart of the Amazon
- From: madsolehcom
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Description:
While browsing the Internet today, I came across this cool traveling site I want to share to anyone interested in visiting Surinam. It's a traveling site with package deals to Surinam. Although it focuses to the continent of Europe, the information on this site can be valuable to everyone around the world.
It gives you a feel of what you can do while in Surinam, and there are some pictures of different places of interest to you. Ok, enough said, here's the link to the site: Suriname Holidays.
Enjoy!
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 558
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The Radio is back! The Radio is back!
- From: Ref
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Description:
Hello! Now you can once again listen to your favorite radiostation on Campuran. Radio Bangsa Jawa, Radio Garuda Suriname, SRP and more.
Go to the music page and select a radiostation in the box.If you own or know about a radiostation you would like to have added, feel free to contact me.
Enjoy!
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
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- Views: 518
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Little Putri Manis 2009 Little Putri Manis 2009
- From: Ref
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Description:
Op 25 April 2009 presenteert Trisno Budaya the Little Putri Manis 2009 evenement. Check out www.soelitrisnobudaya.com for more info. - Blog post
- 1 year ago
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- Views: 376
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I'm broke I'm broke
- From: Ref
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Description:
It's just Feb. 6th and I am already broke! Work last month was kind of slower than usual, resulting in less hours at work. I got all but 3 bills paid off but I got no more $$$ for the other 3... What to do??
Maybe I will sell some of my stuff or maybe cancel my cable or something.. We will see what the outcome will be....
Laterss
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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Surinaamse student heeft Mexic Surinaamse student heeft Mexicaanse griep
- From: Ref
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Description:
Een Surinaamse student die Internationale Handel studeert aan de universiteit in Guadalajara, Mexico, is besmet met het Mexicaanse griepvirus oftewel het ‘varkensgriepvirus’. VolgensDagblad Suriname was de student met zijn verloofde op Greneda toen hij plotseling onwel werd.
Hij werd erg moe, had hoge koorts en bultjes over zijn lichaam. In het ziekenhuis constateerde artsen dat hij besmet was met het virus. De jongeman kreeg hiervoor medicijnen toegediend die goed lijken aan te slaan. Zowel hij als het gezin waar hij vertoefde zijn in quarantaine geplaatst meldt de Surinaamse krant.
Het ministerie van Volksgezondheid in Suriname heeft een bericht de deur uitgedaan waarin het adviseert dat reizen naar Mexico voorlopig moet worden vermeden.
Bron: waterkant.net
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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Suriname proactief tegenover v Suriname proactief tegenover varkensgriep virus
- From: madsolehcom
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Description:
PARAMARIBO, 29 apr – De autoriteiten willen zo proactief mogelijk staan tegenover alle eventualiteiten rond varkensgriep. Nu wordt druk overlegd over het afhandelen van reizigers uit Noord-Amerika. Die categorie heeft nu alle aandacht.
Als van een risico gesproken kan worden, dan is het vooral daar. “We zullen alle inkomende reizigers moeten screenen”, zegt Wim Bakker, topfunctionaris bij het Bureau voor Openbare Gezondheidszorg, BOG. Hoe zal worden gescreend, is nog niet duidelijk. Toch wordt het een belangrijk instrument bij het bepalen van de aanpak. Het is nu meer tasten in het duister.
Door reizigers uit het noorden in de gaten te houden, is er hoop op meer zicht. “Het screenen gaat door totdat duidelijk is dat het virus al actief is in Suriname”, zegt Bakker. Als dat ook echt gebeurt, kan er binnen hooguit twee maanden sprake zijn van een pandemie. Bakker denkt dat dan zeker ruim een vijfde van de bevolking besmet zal raken. De import van varkens en varkensvlees is al stopgezet.
Bron: waterkant.net
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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Big Day Big Day
- From: Ref
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Description:
Ok, vandaag een drukke dag gehad. Eindelijk vrij van het werk en naar de graduation van neefje Skylor geweest. Hem zien in z'n pakje en zijn diploma in handen nemen was classic. 5 jaar geleden was hij nog een baby en
nu een big boy in mij ogen. Ook heeft hij zijn eerste trophy gekregen voor voetballen 2 weken geleden. Als oom heel erg trots op hem.En niet te vergeten, neefje Bryce die een paar dagen terug 3 jaar werd. Die pae wordt ook al groot, smart en natuurlijk een beetje "ogrie". Maar dat hoort bij een kind. In verband met zijn jaardag zijn we vanavond uit-eten geweest. Lekker ge-makan en gedronken op Bryce & Skylor's gezondheid.
Maar goed, wis warek, tot ander keerrrrrr,
Soso lobie
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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- Views: 239
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Introducing Suriname Introducing Suriname
- From: Ganjamin
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Description:
Suriname, the self-proclaimed ‘beating heart of the Amazon,’ is just that: a warm, dense convergence of rivers that thumps with the lively rhythm of ethnic diversity. From Paramaribo, the country’s effervescent Dutch-colonial capital, to the fathomless jungles of the interior, smiling descendants of escaped African slaves, Dutch and British colonialists, Indian, Indonesian and Chinese indentured laborers and Amerindians offer a genuine welcome to their tiny country.
You get the best of both worlds here: a city that’s chock-full of restaurants, shopping venues and night spots and an untamed jungle utterly away from the things of man. It’s not easy to get around this river-heavy, forest-dense country and the mix of languages can make it hard to communicate, sometimes even for Dutch speakers. Don’t forget that a meeting of culinary traditions means the food here is as spicy and lush as the country itself.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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2010 spring new arrival 2010 spring new arrival
- From: smallvolume
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Description:
New Year is fast approaching and all of us must be wondering on how we can make our forthcoming days all the more happier and blissful. Making new resolutions, planning for the New Year party, purchasing New Year gifts etc consume most of our days prior to the occasion. Here smalvolume.com summarized and added some fresh and festive items.
Oriental designs for women, men and kids
These oriental clothes were the new year's hottest items. Most of the new styles were in golden or red colors, which would bring you happy and festive atmosphere. In this section including Chinese style Tang suit, cheongsam, scarfs and so on. New year people usually will purchase new cloth to have a new mood. These oriental designed stuffs will meet all your needs.
2010 year is tiger year, and nearly everywhere you could see those lovely and festive tigers. Many new styles and chic items. Seeing these stuffs you will never worry about your new year decorations. We've selected everything ready for you. In this section including tiger hanging decoration, tiger cushions, etc. All these tiger stuffs were in high quality and with wholesale prices. You can get some to your any rooms or send them to your friends.
Chinese spring festival couplets, decors and lanterns.
These are the most classic Chinese style products in a new year. In this section including all kind of couplets, lanterns and paintings with papercuts. All of these things were rich of Chinese culture.
The last section is sweet gifts we searched in the market and uploaded them in bulk. So here you will find all the categories you are looking for as gifts. In this section including cups, toys, lights, crystal decors, towels. All these new arrival items will give you a refreshing beginning. Go to Smallvolume.com view and purchse them! We are ready here to waiting your enquiry and orders.
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
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Buy all electronic products fr Buy all electronic products from China
- From: smallvolume
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Description:
Over the past few years, the demand of electronics manufactured in China has witnessed a significant increase. The country has turn out to be the world's major producer of consumer electronics and other high tech products than any other country. Starting from MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Video Players to mobile phones, and other most branded name products or electronic goods that are now found in western countries are manufactured in China. In fact in last few years, Chinese wholesale electronics products have gained so enormous popularity that Chinese manufacturer, no longer content to assemble goods for the profit of western companies. They are now selling their own products at much lower prices. Besides this, factors like durability and long life of products has further attracted much attention of leading electronic giants like Motorola, Apple and many more.
Today, electronics designed in China are imported by various countries of the world. In addition to this, the Chinese wholesale electronic markets provide consumers and re-sellers a better, quick and profitable resource to build sales. As high quality Chinese electronic products are easily available at reasonable rate, a retailer can further make good income on them. Buying products in bulk from China and selling at viable prices is emerging as a new trend in world-wide consumer electronic industry to make money.
Present Scenario of Buying Electronics from China
Looking at the current scenario, the wholesale electronics of China are far more reliable than ever before. The wholesale manufacturers in China are now providing a whole new range of electronic products with trendy new features. The booming trend of going wholesale for Chinese electronics has also literally gained its pace. This concept of purchasing wholesale electronics from China has helped many consumers as well. These days, many consumers are staying away from the middleman route and looking to approach these suppliers directly. The range of wholesale products in the electronics segment is really irresistible.
Apart from all this, a close look at present situation highlights that the internet has revolutionized the traditional mode of purchasing electronic products. Any wholesale buyer can easily purchase or order products direct from China on the internet without touching the products. Purchasing electronic products through internet is the choice of many with today's busy lifestyles. It's suitable, quick, and can be done from anywhere.
Buying Chinese Electronics from Online Stores
These days there are several online stores which trade wholesale Chinese electronics directly to the resellers. However, finding good bargains online is not always easy. Here are few small steps that can prove to be very useful if you are looking for the best online wholesale electronic products:
1. Create a catalog of the common electronic product types and their regular prices.
2. Evaluate the standard retail prices you have found with the prices at wholesale shopping malls.
3. Evaluate brand names according to its relevant competitor with focus on quality
Finally make sure you verify the standing of the store and deal with an authentic online store. More often an authentic sellers use safe servers for payment transactions and so a person can have transaction easily.
Certainly, the bottom-line is China is the world's major producer of consumer electronics and sourcing Chinese wholesale electronics with the right strategy along with careful research can help you meet your customer demand or spending budget.
Smallvolume.com is a leading wholesale distributor in China, offers factory price wholesale direct from China, wholesale drop ship, MP4 players, iPod accessories, MP3 players, car DVD players, computer accessories and more accessories from China.
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
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Nitric Oxide Nitric Oxide
- From: skhaldir75
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Description:
......................
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
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- Views: 29
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Campuran Campuran
- From: madsolehcom
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Description:
Hallo, fawaka mensen en welkom by Campuran! Campuran is een social networking website voor Surinamers door Surinamers. By Campuran kunt U uw video's, muziek en foto's uploaden, en of Uw eigen blog opschrijven. U kunt dan ook in contact zijn met andere Campuran leden door elkaar toe te laten als vriend.
Heeft U al een eigen website? Dan kunt U uw video's en muziek door middel van de "URL" die te zien is by het afspelen van de clip of muziek, gewoon plaatsen op Uw website, zonder Uw eigen bandwidth te gebruiken!
Lid worden is absoluut vrij! Video upload maximum groote is 25MB per clip, en voor muziek is 8MB per muziek. Let wel, "per clip of muziek". Dus U kunt ongelimiteerde clips en muziek oploaden. Heeft U een langere clip, verdeel die in delen en opload.
Ik hoop dat U veel gebruik kan maken van Campuran, maar hou het schoon. Campuran word dagelijks nagekeken, en alle ongepaste inhoud zal weg gehaald worden.
Enjoy!
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
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- Views: 854
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