Visitors to Indonesia’s National Museum in Jakarta now have the opportunity to view a collection of centuries-old stone Buddha statues and precious jewelry, repatriated from the Netherlands. These artifacts offer a profound glimpse into the nation’s rich cultural heritage, much of which was long lost to colonial exploitation.
Gunawan, head of cultural heritage at the museum, highlighted that this collection is part of more than 800 artifacts returned under a 2022 Repatriation Agreement between Indonesia and the Netherlands. These items are not limited to those looted during conflicts but include objects seized by scientists and missionaries, or smuggled by mercenaries during the four centuries of colonial rule.
“I was amazed to see all of these artifacts,” remarked Shaloom Azura, a visitor. She expressed a hope that more historical objects would be repatriated, allowing Indonesians to view their cultural heritage at home.
Global Efforts in Repatriation
The return of cultural objects to their countries of origin is a growing global trend. France, for instance, returned statues and royal thrones to Benin in 2021, while Belgium handed over a golden tooth of Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese independence hero, in the same year.
Cambodia welcomed back priceless artifacts seized during war and instability in 2023, and many returned items have come from the United States. Moreover, Berlin plans to return hundreds of human skulls from its former colony, East Africa.
The Dutch government also announced the return of not only Indonesian treasures but also looted artifacts from Sri Lanka in 2022.
A Long Journey
The repatriation process is not an overnight solution; it has been a journey spanning decades. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, a former Indonesian ambassador to the Netherlands who led the government’s team, emphasized that negotiations with the Dutch government commenced shortly after Indonesia’s independence in 1945, but formal requests for the return of specific items were only made in July 2022.
Puja believes that this repatriation is crucial for reconstructing history that may have been lost, obscured, or manipulated. It helps fill historical gaps and provides a more complete picture of Indonesia’s past.
Significant returns include the 13th-century statue of Princess Pradnya Paramita from the Javanese Singhasari Kingdom, returned in 1978, and Diponegoro’s gold-plated kris dagger handed over by Dutch King Willem-Alexander in 2020.
The return of the “Java Man” — the first known example of homo erectus collected by Eugene Dubois in the 19th century — is still pending.
The Importance of Knowledge Creation
Puja stated that the recent repatriation efforts are not just about symbolism but also about knowledge creation. It aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Indonesia’s history.
According to Marc Gerritsen, the Dutch ambassador to Indonesia, the repatriation focuses on cultural objects that are specifically requested rather than emptying out European museums. There is keen interest in Indonesian culture among the Dutch public, ensuring that future exhibitions in the Netherlands would attract significant attention.
Protecting Repatriated Artifacts
However, the challenge of protecting repatriated artifacts remains. Researchers have criticized Indonesia for lacking a robust legal framework to safeguard its cultural heritage. Between 2010 and 2020, there were at least 11 reported cases of museum theft.
In 2023, crews dredged the Batanghari River in Jambi province and looted archaeological objects, which are believed to have been sold abroad.
“We need to focus not just on bringing artifacts back home but also on how to protect them,” underscored Frengky Simanjuntak, who marveled at the Repatriation Exhibition at the National Museum.
The Dutch government has pledged to assist in improving museum storage conditions and enhancing staff expertise as part of its continued support for Indonesia’s cultural preservation efforts.
Conclusion
The ongoing repatriation of artifacts marks a significant step toward restoring cultural dignity and fostering a more accurate understanding of historical events. As more pieces return, Indonesia faces the vital task of protecting these invaluable treasures for future generations.
As Gunawan aptly put it, “These returned artifacts are not just relics of a bygone era; they are living testaments to our nation’s rich cultural heritage that the world should know and appreciate.”
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