International collaboration with the Moluccas
An inspiring meeting took place at Museum Maluku, where a diverse group of Moluccan artists, historians, academics and representatives from Ambon and Jakarta came together. Among those present were well-known names such as dr Tamara Soukotta, Yopi Abraham, Hatutamelen (James Noya), Wim Manuhutu, Anis de Fretes, Ebed Litaay and Huib Akihary. From Maluku: Mevie Mailoa (staff member at Museum Siwa Lima), Decky Tanasale (village head of Leinitu and secretary of Kantor Latupati, the consultative body of adat elders in Maluku) and the dedicated research team of Agung Sumarwan, Diana Trisnawati Yudhistira and Gharisa Nur Alam.
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Photos: Gharisa Nur Alam
The conversation, which grew out of an earlier meeting between Museum Maluku (The Hague), Museum Siwalima (Ambon) and the Education and Culture Service of the Moluccas (Ambon), addressed a number of aspects. Among other things, research into the resistance fighter Thomas Matulessy, alias Pattimura, took centre stage. Here the importance of both Moluccan and Dutch sources for a full understanding of the history of the Moluccas was stressed, underlining the need to decolonise ways of thinking.
Another subject of conversation was the collaboration between the team and Museum Maluku to promote the transmission of knowledge about Moluccan adat rituals. This conversation brought together art, scholarship, history and traditional Moluccan knowledge, further strengthening the ties with Maluku. It was an enriching experience that strengthened the mutual involvement between the Moluccan communities in the Netherlands and in the Moluccas themselves, and it promises much for future collaborations.
Henry Timisela
