The festival fills the streets and parks of Paramaribo with colour, sound and food. People dress in traditional Surinamese Creole clothes — women in magnificent koto costumes with elaborate headdresses, and men in smart traditional dress. Drums beat, kaseko bands play, and traditional Afro-Surinamese food is shared between families and neighbours.
Storytelling is an important part of Keti Koti. Elders share stories about their family history and their culture, and children listen and learn. This passing on of stories keeps the culture alive from one generation to the next. Many families also make special dishes that are only prepared for Keti Koti, keeping those recipes as part of their celebration.
Keti Koti is a national public holiday in Suriname, which means schools, offices and shops close so that everyone can celebrate. In recent years more and more Surinamese people of all backgrounds have joined the celebrations, making it a festival for all of Suriname — a day to be proud of the country's rich, mixed heritage.