The origin of the Matawai people is unclear, but oral accounts often mention the plantations Hamburg and Uitkijk.

[6] In 1762, a full century before the general emancipation of slaves in Suriname, a group known as the Saramaka signed a peace treaty with the Dutch colonists to acknowledge their territorial rights and trading privileges.

[8] During the 19th century, villages were established along the Saramacca River where a mixed population of Matawai and other Maroons live.

In 1974, the aforementioned area was added to the authority of the granman (paramount chief)[10] and is nowadays known as the Boven Saramacca resort.

Poesoegroenoe is home to the granman of the Matawai,[3] and was originally designated as the main village,[11] however Nieuw Jacobkondre has become more important due to its connection to the Southern East-West Link,[12] and nearby airstrip.

In the 1970s, almost half the population had left the area.,[15] and mainly settled in the Wanica District next to the capital Paramaribo.