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Indonesians embrace return of plundered treasure from the Dutch

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Repatriating Indonesia’s Stolen Heritage

A Spiritual Effort to Calm the Wrath of Disasters

In the mid-19th century, Dutch colonial officials climbing an Indonesian volcano spotted an ancient statue meant to serve as protection against misfortune, looted it, and took it to the Netherlands. Today, the volcanic rock likeness of the Hindu god Ganesha, bearing four arms and the head of an elephant, stands tall inside Indonesia’s National Museum in the capital Jakarta.

A Global Restitution Movement

The country is repatriating hundreds of similarly pillaged treasures, reclaiming parts of its history lost to looting under its former colonial ruler from the late 17th century to independence in 1945. "We fully support it because it is part of preserving our culture," said 23-year-old banker Devi Aristya Nurhidayanti, standing in front of the Ganesha statue. "Nowadays, not many people are aware of the history. Hopefully, through efforts like this, more people will learn that this is part of our heritage."

A Mosaic of Tradition, Culture, and Craftsmanship

As of mid-December, 828 cultural items have been returned to Indonesia from the Netherlands, according to the Indonesian Heritage Agency. They represent a mosaic of tradition, culture, and craftsmanship from across the Southeast Asian archipelago nation — from coins and jewelry to textiles and weapons. The Netherlands government has pledged to return cultural artefacts stolen during more than three centuries of Dutch control, based on a 2020 recommendation from a government advisory committee.

Indonesia’s Strong Diplomatic Ties

Indonesia’s strong diplomatic ties with the Dutch played a key role in negotiations, starting with a 2017 cultural agreement, according to I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, head of the Indonesian Collection Repatriation Team in the Netherlands. "The significance of this is to demonstrate to the international community that Indonesia is capable of having these objects returned," he told AFP. "This counters sceptics who claim Indonesia lacks the capacity to preserve such valuable heritage."

A Spiritual Effort to Calm the Wrath of Disasters

Among the items returned are three other Hindu-Buddhist sculptures depicting deities taken from a 13th-century temple compound in the Singosari kingdom located near the active Mount Semeru volcano on Indonesia’s main island of Java. The standing Ganesha is one of only a few in the world, said East Java-based archaeologist Dwi Cahyono. "This standing position symbolises vigilance against danger," he told AFP. So its repatriation is a "spiritual effort to calm the wrath of disasters in Indonesia", which sits on the Pacific’s earthquake-prone Ring of Fire.

Thousands of Stolen Cultural Items Remain Abroad

Thousands of stolen cultural items are believed to remain abroad in the Netherlands and other countries, with more research needed to bring them home. While no further repatriations from the Dutch are slated, Dwi hopes to see more works making their way back in the coming years. "I still look forward to the return of more assets, and this remains a priority, as these objects are crucial to strengthening our cultural heritage," he said.

A Debate About What to Do with the Artefacts

There is also a debate about what Indonesia should do with the artefacts and how to deliver them to the Indonesian people when they return — through displays or returning them to their original locations. "What meaning do we want to present to the people?" asked archaeologist Irmawati Marwoto from the University of Indonesia. "The museum must… present these objects to the public in a meaningful way and enhance knowledge about them."

Conclusion

Indonesia’s repatriation of stolen cultural artefacts is a significant step towards reclaiming its heritage and preserving its cultural identity. The country’s strong diplomatic ties with the Netherlands and its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage have played a crucial role in the repatriation process.

FAQs

  • How many cultural items have been returned to Indonesia from the Netherlands?
    • As of mid-December, 828 cultural items have been returned to Indonesia from the Netherlands.
  • What is the significance of the repatriation of these cultural artefacts?
    • The repatriation of these cultural artefacts is a significant step towards reclaiming Indonesia’s heritage and preserving its cultural identity.
  • How many stolen cultural items are believed to remain abroad in the Netherlands and other countries?
    • Thousands of stolen cultural items are believed to remain abroad in the Netherlands and other countries, with more research needed to bring them home.
  • What is the plan for the returned artefacts?
    • The plan for the returned artefacts is to display them in museums or return them to their original locations, with a focus on preserving their cultural significance and enhancing knowledge about them.
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