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Greetings from the Moluccas: Ezli Suitela and Vadim Dijkshoorn gather centuries-old tales in a unique book
Many Moluccan folk tales have never been written down. They were passed on orally, from generation to generation, but risk being lost in the modern world. Ezli Suitela and Vadim Dijkshoorn want to do something about that. With their book De stinkende durian en de slang (The stinking durian and the snake), which gathers 23 traditional tales from the Moluccas, they hope to preserve this cultural heritage. "These stories tell us who we are," Ezli says. "They are a very important part of our identity."
"If even I do not know it, how many others still do?"
Ezli Suitela is an anthropologist and teacher with a Moluccan background. Her fascination with the stories began when, at 26, she travelled to the Moluccas for the first time in search of her roots. "On the Kei Islands I met an uncle who took me to sacred places," she says. "He told stories about invisible beings who help people in times of need, and about a village that turned into a lake as punishment for bad behaviour." Those stories intrigued her. "I had barely heard about them as a child. Then I thought: if even I do not know this, how many other Moluccans of my generation still know these stories?"
Vadim Dijkshoorn, a historian, literary scholar and teacher with a love of narrative culture, was immediately keen to work with her. "I am interested in other cultures anyway," he says. "When the chance came to go to the Moluccas, I seized it with both hands."
The search for stories
Collecting the stories turned out to be an adventure in itself. For six months Ezli and Vadim travelled through Ambon-Lease, the Kei Islands, Seram and Buru to record orally transmitted tales. "We thought storytelling there would still be very much alive," Vadim says. "That you could sit down at a campfire and grandfathers and grandmothers would tell stories to their children and grandchildren." In practice it was less simple. "In some places, such as the mountains of Buru, hardly any tourists come. The people there were somewhat reticent and shy at first." Even so they were helped everywhere. "People were extremely helpful and hospitable. Unfortunately the stories had largely been forgotten in most places. Fortunately, in Ambon we came into contact with Pattimura University, where people were already collecting stories. In that way we were eventually able to gather 23 fine and interesting tales." Ezli translated the stories and made the illustrations in the book. Vadim rewrote and enlivened the tales with respect for the original storyline and the local culture. De stinkende durian en de slang is thus his debut as an author.
The eagle and the healer
One of the most remarkable stories is about a wounded eagle. "He flies into a mountain and is injured," Ezli says. "A healer finds him in a cave and tries to care for him, but the eagle stays weak. In the end he dies and says to the healer: 'Put my feathers in the ground and I will give your people what you have given me.'" From those feathers grows the Kayu Putih tree, whose oil is used by Moluccans to this day against all kinds of ailments. "It shows the connection between people and nature," Ezli says. "We are connected to one another and must care for one another."
A book for everyone
For Ezli and Vadim the book is not only a way to preserve Moluccan heritage, but also to make it accessible to a wider audience. "For Moluccans it is a chance to discover where our norms and values come from," Ezli says. "For others they are simply very special stories." Vadim adds: "Some stories are very funny or even bizarre. Like a man who smuggles rice out of the upper world by putting a grain in his urethra. Stories like these exist nowhere else in the world. It is world heritage that must be preserved." Alongside the book they are working on an audiobook in which ten stories are told as radio plays.
Book launch on 22 March
On Saturday 22 March 2025, De stinkende durian en de slang will be officially launched at Museum Sophiahof in The Hague. The afternoon begins with cakalele by Tjakalélé TenuÉ Hiaka AlifURU, led by Pika Nendissa. This is followed by a conversation with Ezli and Vadim about their journey to the Moluccas, a first taste of an audio story and a Q&A. The day closes with a musical surprise and drinks and a signing session, with plenty of opportunity to talk afterwards. Book your tickets via the button below!
Order the book now!
De stinkende durian en de slang can now be ordered via the Walburg Pers website.
