# Inini

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French Guiana inland territory, 1930-1946

For the [district headquarters](/source/Administrative_centre) of the [Dibang Valley district](/source/Dibang_Valley_district), see [Anini](/source/Anini).

Territory of Inini Territoire de l'Inini 1930–1946 Flag Inini (green) and French Guiana (beige) Status French colony Capital Saint-Élie Common languages French Historical era Interbellum · World War II • Separated from French Guiana 6 June 1930 • Reintegrated 19 March 1946 Population • 1946[1] 5,024 Currency French franc Preceded by Succeeded by French Guiana French Guiana

**Inini** was an inland territory of [French Guiana](/source/French_Guiana), administered separately between 6 June 1930[2] and 19 March 1946, after which all of French Guiana became a [department](/source/Departments_of_France) of [France](/source/France).[3] The territory remained governed as a special entity, until 17 March 1969 when it was dissolved into [communes](/source/Communes_of_France), and subject to regular government.[4] Its capital was [Saint-Élie](/source/Saint-%C3%89lie).[5] The population of the territory consisted of [Amerindians](/source/Amerindians), [Maroons](/source/Maroon_(people)), and [gold prospectors](/source/Gold_prospecting).[4] The district was named after the river [Inini](/source/Inini_(river)), a major river in the interior of French Guiana which runs east to west, unlike the other major rivers which run south to north.[6]

## History

The purpose of the colony was to develop the interior separately from the coastal area around [Cayenne](/source/Cayenne). The colony came into effect on 6 June 1930,[2] and was mainly a military affair.[7] The territory was [ruled by decree](/source/Rule_by_decree) first by the [governor of French Guiana](/source/List_of_colonial_and_departmental_heads_of_French_Guiana) and later by the prefect.[8] Initially only three services were offered: water management, [forest management](/source/Forest_management), and mines.[9]

[Prison of the Annamites](/source/Prison_of_the_Annamites) (2005)

In 1930, a total of seven military officers and nine [gendarmes](/source/Gendarme) were stationed in the territory.[10] The main focus was on the legal gold mining companies, and the difficult access to the mines in the jungle.[11] In 1931, a labour force consisting of 535 [Annamite](/source/Annam_(French_protectorate)) prisoners who had revolted against French rule in [Indochina](/source/French_Indochina) were brought in to make the territory accessible.[12] [Senegalese Tirailleurs](/source/Senegalese_Tirailleurs) were used to guard and oversee the prisoners.[13] In 1936, the governor informed Paris that the project was successful, because the interior could soon be opened for colonisation. In 1937, the prisoners at [Camp Crique Anguille](/source/Camp_Crique_Anguille) revolted.[14]

In 1941, American troops were stationed in [Suriname](/source/Suriname) to protect the colony and its [bauxite](/source/Bauxite) industry, which was primarily American-owned.[15] One year later, [Brazil](/source/Brazil) declared war on [Germany](/source/Germany).[16] Inini was part of [Vichy France](/source/Vichy_France), a neutral state associated with Nazi Germany through the [Armistice of 22 June 1940](/source/Armistice_of_22_June_1940), and now found itself squeezed between two hostile countries, therefore the main effort of the administration was guarding the borders until 16 March 1943[17] when Inini sided with [Free France](/source/Free_France).[10] On 6 December 1944, the prisoner camps were abandoned and the Annamites returned to the normal prisons. The first group was released in July 1946, however the last group had to wait until August 1953.[17]

The plan to develop the territory did not work out, owing to the difficulties of railroad construction in the interior. The ruins of the three prisons used may still be seen.[18] In 1944, the [Brazzaville Conference](/source/Brazzaville_Conference) was held among Free French leaders which promised all citizens of France's colonies equal rights with French citizens after the war.[19] Therefore, on 19 March 1946 all of French Guiana became a [department](/source/Department_(country_subdivision)) of [France](/source/France);[3] however, Inini would be administered separately, because it was lacking basic services like health care and education. On 17 March 1969, the territory was dissolved into [communes](/source/Communes_of_France), and subject to regular democratic government.[4]

## Postage stamps

A 1932 stamp of Inini

During this period, the [postage stamps](/source/Postage_stamp) of French Guiana were [overprinted](/source/Overprint) with several variations on "TERRITOIRE DE L'ININI" and the [omnibus issues](/source/Omnibus_issue) for the Colonial Arts Exhibition in 1937 and the [New York World's Fair](/source/1939_New_York_World's_Fair) in 1939 included stamps inscribed "ININI". Despite the limited audience, the stamps of Inini are commonly available at minimal prices today.[20]

## See also

- [Former colonies in South America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Former_colonies_in_South_America)

- [French colonization of the Americas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:French_colonization_of_the_Americas)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Vous qui voulez venir en Guyane"](https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00004327/00001/31x). *University of Florida* (in French). 1953. pp. 28–29. Retrieved 3 August 2020. 1946 census data. On page 29, it was noted that there were an estimated 4,000 foreigners in the country who mainly worked in the interior, i.e. the illegal gold prospectors were not included in the statistics

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-decree1930_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-decree1930_2-1) ["Création de territoire en Guyane française"](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k96600265/f4). *Journal officiel de la Guyane française via Bibliothèque Nationale de France* (in French). 6 June 1930. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-decree1946_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-decree1946_3-1) ["Loi n° 46-451 du 19 mars 1946 tendant au classement comme départements français de la Guadeloupe, de la Martinique, de la Réunion et de la Guyane française"](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do;jsessionid=90C2AF15B7AFCE0B54864E7C5B5834EF.tpdjo06v_1?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000868445&dateTexte=20110903). *Government of the French Republic* (in French). 19 March 1946. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-stanford_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-stanford_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-stanford_4-2) Thabouillot, Gérard (24 August 2023). [*Le territoire de l'Inini : 1930-1969*](https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11652140) (in French). Ibis rouge éditions. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9782375205051](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9782375205051). Retrieved 6 June 2020. {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: |website= ignored ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#periodical_ignored))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["South America 1930: Vargas Revolution"](https://omniatlas.com/maps/south-america/19301024/). *Omni Atlas*. Retrieved 4 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Au temps de l'Inini"](https://www.un-temoin-en-guyane.com/au-temps-de-l-inini). *Un Témoin en Guyane* (in French). Retrieved 3 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThabouillot201143_7-0)** [Thabouillot 2011](#CITEREFThabouillot2011), p. 43.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Colloque : le territoire de l'Inini (1930-1969)"](https://www.blada.com/boite-aux-lettres/infos-citoyennes/15111-Colloque_le_territoire_de_l_Inini_1930-1969_.htm). *Blada*. Retrieved 3 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThabouillot201144_9-0)** [Thabouillot 2011](#CITEREFThabouillot2011), p. 44.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThabouillot201148_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThabouillot201148_10-1) [Thabouillot 2011](#CITEREFThabouillot2011), p. 48.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Industrial Railways in French Guiana, 2014"](http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/frenchguiana03.htm). *International Steam*. Retrieved 4 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDonet-Vincent2001215_12-0)** [Donet-Vincent 2001](#CITEREFDonet-Vincent2001), p. 215.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDonet-Vincent2001217_13-0)** [Donet-Vincent 2001](#CITEREFDonet-Vincent2001), p. 217.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDonet-Vincent2001218_14-0)** [Donet-Vincent 2001](#CITEREFDonet-Vincent2001), p. 218.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Wereldoorlog in de West - Suriname, de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba 1940-1945"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200809111206/https://www.verzetsmuseum.org/museum/nl/tweede-wereldoorlog/koninkrijkdernederlanden/suriname_antillen_aruba). *[Verzetsmuseum](/source/Verzetsmuseum)* (in Dutch). Archived from [the original](https://www.verzetsmuseum.org/museum/nl/tweede-wereldoorlog/koninkrijkdernederlanden/suriname_antillen_aruba) on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["1942: Brazil Declares War on Hitler's Germany"](https://history.info/on-this-day/1942-brazil-declares-war-on-hitlers-germany/). *History.info*. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDonet-Vincent2001220_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDonet-Vincent2001220_17-1) [Donet-Vincent 2001](#CITEREFDonet-Vincent2001), p. 220.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bagne_18-0)** Donet-Vincent, Danielle (1 January 2006). ["Les "bagnes" des Indochinois en Guyane (1931-1963)"](https://journals.openedition.org/criminocorpus/182). *Criminocorpus, Revue Hypermédia* (in French). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4000/criminocorpus.182](https://doi.org/10.4000%2Fcriminocorpus.182). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [247825093](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:247825093). Retrieved 6 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Les chemins politiques, de Brazzaville à la Communauté (1944-1958)"](https://fresques.ina.fr/independances/parcours/0005/les-chemins-politiques-de-brazzaville-a-la-communaute-1944-1958.html). *Institut national de l'audiovisuel* (in French). Retrieved 5 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Le territoire de l'Inini"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200606130908/https://www.francephilatelie.com/le-territoire-de-linini). *France Philatelie* (in French). 8 September 2016. Archived from [the original](https://www.francephilatelie.com/le-territoire-de-linini) on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

## Bibliography

- Donet-Vincent, Danielle (2001). ["Les "bagnes" des Indochinois en Guyane (1931-1963)"](https://www.persee.fr/doc/outre_1631-0438_2001_num_88_330_3849). *Persée*. Outre-Mers. Revue d'histoire (in French).

- Thabouillot, Gérard (2011). ["Être chef de poste en Inini (1930-1969)"](https://www.persee.fr/doc/outre_1631-0438_2011_num_98_370_4532). *Persée*. Outre-Mers. Revue d'histoire (in French). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2275-4954](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2275-4954).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Inini](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Inini).

v t e French overseas empire Former v t e Former French colonies in Africa and the Indian Ocean North Africa Algeria Morocco Tunisia West Africa Côte d'Ivoire Dahomey Sudan Guinea Mauritania Arguin Island Niger Senegal Four Communes Upper Volta Togoland James Island Albreda Equatorial Africa Chad Gabon Middle Congo Ubangi-Shari Cameroons Comoros Anjouan Grande Comore Mohéli Somaliland (Djibouti) Madagascar Isle de France v t e Former French colonies in the Americas French North America Acadia Louisiana Canada Terre Neuve French Florida French Texas French Caribbean Dominica Grenada The Grenadines Saint-Domingue Haïti, Dominican Republic Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent Tobago Virgin Islands Equinoctial France Berbice France Antarctique Inini French colonization of the Americas French West India Company v t e Former French colonies in Asia and Oceania French India Chandernagor Coromandel Coast Madras Mahé Pondichéry Karaikal Yanaon Indochinese Union Cambodia Laos Vietnam Cochinchina Annam Tonkin Kouang-Tchéou-Wan Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon State of Syria Aleppo Damascus Alawite State Greater Lebanon Jabal al-Druze Sanjak of Alexandretta Oceania New Hebrides Vanuatu Port Louis-Philippe (Akaroa) France–Asia relations Louis XIV's East India Company Present v t e Overseas France Inhabited territories Overseas regions1 French Guiana Guadeloupe Martinique Mayotte2 Réunion Overseas collectivities French Polynesia Saint Barthélemy Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Wallis and Futuna Sui generis collectivity New Caledonia Uninhabited territories North Pacific Ocean Clipperton Island Overseas territory (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) Adélie Land Crozet Islands Kerguelen Islands Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean Bassas da India3 Europa Island3 Glorioso Islands2, 3 Banc du Geyser Juan de Nova Island3 Tromelin Island4 1 Also known as overseas departments 2 Claimed by the Comoros 3 Claimed by Madagascar 4 Claimed by Mauritius

[3°N 53°W / 3°N 53°W / 3; -53](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Inini&params=3_N_53_W_)

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