Camp Patmos 2013: Fill & Download for Free

The Dutch-Indonesian community is integrated in such a way that the government no longer registers them as foreigners but as natives. Currently there are between 1.5 and 2 million Dutch people with Indonesian descent.The Dutch-Indonesian population repatriated to the Netherlands between 1949 and 1967, after the Dutch East Indies became an independent nation (Republic of Indonesia) and later Netherlands New Guinea (Papua) was handover to Indonesia.The first diaspora of Dutch-Indonesians who emigrated to the Netherlands had some difficulty integrating. The way of life in Europe was completely different from what they were used to. The climate, the food, customs, education and culture were different than in the former Dutch East Indies. But most Dutch-Indonesians were soon assimilated into Dutch society.The Dutch-Indonesian community can be found in all layers of the Dutch population, as well as in politics and in management positions. Like other Asian communities in the Netherlands, such as the Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipinos and Thai, the Dutch-Indonesians are known as hardworking and causes no problems.Present day well-known Dutch-Indonesians television presenters, actors, film and documentary makers.DUTCH-INDONESIAN CULTUREThe Indonesian culture is well-known among native Dutch people. There are often several Indonesian festivals organized such as the Pasar Indonesia, Tong Tong fair and many other pasar malams.The Tong Tong fair in The Hague, formerly called the Pasar Malam Besar, is the largest Indonesian festival in the world outside of Indonesia. The first Pasar Malam was organized for the Dutch-Indonesian community in 1959.A typical ‘Pasar Malam’, Indonesian evening market in the city of Zwolle (Eastern Netherlands).A Pasar Malam in the city of Breda (Southern Netherlands).A Pasar Malam in the city of Rotterdam (Western Netherlands).Often in the weekends a 'Koempoelan' or 'Indische avond' are organized. It is a party or gathering that primarily attracts seniors. Old Indonesian songs, dangdut, krontjong (keroncong) and Indorock music is played here.Poco-poco or jospan is danced and this dancing is also become popular among (senior) Dutch people.INDONESIAN CUISINEThe Indonesian cuisine has gained much influence in the Netherlands. Also Dutch food can sometimes be a bit more spicy than in the surrounding countries. Partly because the VOC imported spices from the Indonesian archipelago for centuries, such as pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and mace.There are many Indonesian restaurants, tokos and take-away warungs in many cities in the Netherlands. And there is a wide variety of Indonesian products in the Dutch supermarkets.Sambal an Indonesian spicey sauce that is very popular in the Netherlands.Indonesian and Surinamese sambal products in a Dutch supermarket. It is good to know that the Surinamese sambal is much more spicier than the Indonesian.A typical 'Dutch' rijsttafel (rice table). It consists of many side dishes served in small portions, from different areas of the Indonesian archipelago. Although the dishes served are undoubtedly Indonesian, the origins were Dutch colonial.A rijsttafel is served in Indonesian restaurants or is prepared at home during special celebrations.The rijsttafel has been served for Dutch soldiers since 1901 and is nowadays known as traditional Dutch military food (Blauwe Hap). However, the flavors are no longer authentic than the original Indonesian food.Popular Dutch snacks such as the bamischijf and the nasischijf. (Deepfried noodles and diepfried rice)The tradional Dutch snacks such as the saté-kroket, nasischijf or bamischijf are available at the snack vending machines.Flemish (large) fries with mayonnaise and hot satay sauce. Fries with hot satay sauce is the third most popular sauce after mayonnaise and curry.A Dutch ‘Indonesian’ Toko.Take-away food from a toko.Kroepoek (kerupuk) or prawn crackers is a popular snack that can be found in the Dutch supermarkets. There are many types of flavors that are produced by different (Dutch) brands.However, most smaller (old) Indonesian tokos face fierce competition from the larger modern Asian supermarkets run by the Chinese. On the other hand, the range of Indonesian products in these Asian supermarkets has expanded enormously.THE MOLUCCAN COMMUNITYThe Moluccans still have their own identity, were less integrated and have an official ‘separate status’ in the Netherlands. The Moluccans originally come from the east of the Indonesian archipelago.During the Dutch rule, many Moluccans were part of the Royal Dutch Indies Army. They were among the elite forces of the Dutch Indies army and were feared troughout the Indonesian archipelago. The Moluccans were very loyal to the Dutch Crown and fought against the Japanese imperial army and the Indonesian nationalists. They were taken prisoner of war during the Japanese occupation.When Indonesia became an independent country, the Dutch government brought the Moluccan troops with their families to the Netherlands in 1950.The intention was that they would stay in the Netherlands for couple months and that the Moluccas would become their own state. It has never come this far and the Moluccans felt betrayed by the Dutch government and the new established Indonesian republic saw the Moluccans as traitors.Because the Dutch government could not send the Moluccans to the Republic of Indonesia, they were temporary transferred to former (Jewish) concentration camps.In the 1960s, 71 special residential areas were built for the Moluccan community troughout the country on the outskirts of cities and villages.The traditions, cultures and the Malay creoles languages from the Moluccans remained strongly represented in the Moluccan neighborhoods. Most elderly Moluccans spoke little or no Dutch.Moluccan residential erea in the village of Moordrecht in construction in the ‘60.A Moluccan family in the 60s. (Family Kelatow)The Moluccans were less integrated and still speak Malay creole today. The Malay creole language among the Moluccans has never been further developed or modernized and compared to Bahasa Indonesia they still use the older spelling. The young generation of Moluccans still speaks Malay creole as in the 1950s.The Moluccans caused many problems in the 1970s. The second generation saw the sadness of their parents and asked the Dutch government for attention by hijacking two commuter trains a primary school and occupying the residence of the Indonesian ambassador in The Hague.Many hostages and hostage takers were killed by Dutch soldiers during the liberation campaign. Also 37 Moluccans tried to conquer the royal palace to abduct Queen Juliana. However, the queen was on vacation in Italy.The Moluccans surrender after the train hijackings.The Moluccans released a couple of childrens after hijacking a primary school.The funeral of Moluccan hijackers.From the 70s, because of the hijackings, the Moluccans had a very negative name, the Dutch people saw the Moluccans as terrorists. Also the Moluccans despised the Dutch government, found it difficult to find work and there was a huge dropout at schools among the Moluccan youth. The Moluccans still felt a strong connection with the Maluku islands and they felt as second-class citizens in the Netherlands.In the late 80s Moluccan neighborhoods were sometimes quarantined, the Moluccan residents ofcourse did not agree.With the establishment of the Satudarah motorcycle club, the relationship with the Dutch government and population did not get much better. The Dutch government sees the Satudarah as a criminal organization. However, the government does not always have the manpower to fully dismantle this motorcycle club. The nationale police do keep a close eye on them.The traffic police give priority to around 1000 satudarah motorcyclists on the national highway. A motorcycle procession due to the commemoration proclamation of the Republic of the South Moluccas.The preservation of their Moluccan cultural identity is very important in the Moluccan neighborhoods and can in a certain sense be seen as a substitute for their own state.Currently most third and fourth generation Moluccans no longer live in the specially designated residential areas. However, local laws prohibits the Dutch population from living in these residential areas. Sum native Dutch people claimed, it is discrimination to prohibit other Dutch people to live in these houses. The house rents are affordable and the neighbourhoods are still maintained by the Dutch State or local municipalities. Especially now that there is a housing shortage in the Netherlands and many Dutch people are looking for an affordable home.Some Dutch people even lost court cases to demand to live in these houses and are either chased away by the Moluccans residents. Until today, the Moluccan neighborhoods have always been inhabited by Moluccans only.Hoisting the Moluccan flag in a Moluccan neighborhood (Hoogeveen) during a memorial ceremony.In the 1960s the Dutch government has donated the houses as gratitude for the Moluccan commitment in the former Dutch East Indies.These days the Moluccans are better integrated, but almost four decades later than the Dutch-Indonesians. The first and second generation Moluccans still thought they would return to Asia. Which means that they not integrated into the Netherlands immediately. They always kept a suitcase ready in case they could leave the Netherlands.The third, fourth and fifth generation Moluccans, do not expect they will ever return to present day Indonesia, they feel totally accepted by the Dutch population and assume that their future lies in the Netherlands.A present day Moluccan family. (Family Matitahatiwen and family Souhuwat)The Moluccan community is a religious (Christian), proud and close community and are well known in the Netherlands for their Moluccan cuisine, hospitality, traditional dancing and vocal singing.Traditional Moluccan Saureka-reka dance or gaba-gaba.Popular folk music at a Moluccan festival in Amsterdam Southeast.THE JAVANESE-SURINAMESE COMMUNITYThe Javanese-Surinamese people come from Suriname (South America) and have a Javanese background. After the abolition of slavery in 1863 new workers were needed for the plantations in the colony of Dutch Guiana (Suriname). Contract workers were recruited from British India, China and the Dutch East Indies.Javanese from the Dutch East Indies arriving in Dutch Guiana.In the 1970s, when Suriname became an independent country, many Surinamese, including the Javanese, opted for Dutch citizenship and left for the Netherlands. In Suriname there was uncertainty about the future. It was feared that the Javanese people become victims of an escalating ethnic conflict between the Hindustanis (Indian) and the African creole (former African slaves) community.The Hindustani, Javanese and Chinese community flee to the Netherlands after Suriname has become an independent country.A Javanese-Surinamese family in the 80s. (Family Soetoredjo)Present day Javanese-Surinamese people in the Netherlands of the Foundation Committee Javanese Immigration.Ronald Sanrodji, Soedirman Patmo, Lisa Djasmadi, Melvin Toemin, Hariëtte Mingoen, Loes Resodikromo-Dijokromo and Hugo Resodikromo.JAVANESE CULTUREThe Javanese-Surinamese have succeeded in retaining a large part of their Javanese culture. They still speak a variant of the Javanese language, practice their traditional religions and also other cultural traditions, such as Javanese dancing and music.Gamalan music played by Javanese-Surinamese.The Javanese-Surinamese are generally well integrated into the Dutch society. They are rarely recorded in the crime figures. The Javanese-Surinamese are a silent community in the Netherlands. They are modest in the background. In contrast to the Dutch-Indonesians and the Moluccans, the Javanese-Surinamese in particular adhere to the Islamic faith.Wisma Tunggal Karsa a care home in The Hague for Javanese-Surinamese elderly. There are also care homes for elderly Dutch-Indonesians and Moluccans in the Netherlands.The Javanese-Surinamese are often confused with the Dutch-Indonesians or Indonesians. For example, if somebody ask to a Javanese-Surinamese person if he or she is an Indonesian? They will say that they not Indonesian but Javanese. That sometimes makes it even more confusing, because most people assumes that Java is in present day Indonesia.One of the best-known Javanese-Surinamese person is Ranomi Kromowidjojo, triple Olympic and multiple world and European swimming champion.JAVANESE-SURINAMESE CUISINEThe Javanese-Surinamese cuisine is very popular in the Netherlands. Although their dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice), bami (noodles) or soto soup are originally come from Indonesia, the Javanese-Surinamese cuisine has many influences from the Indian, Chinese, Dutch, African and Portuguese cuisine.The Javanese-Surinamese warungs and tokos are mainly located in the big cities such as The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam and in the northern provinces such as Groningen. This is because most Javanese-Surinamese have settled here.THE PAPUAN COMMUNITYAfter the handover of Dutch New Guinea to the Republic of Indonesia in 1963, about five hundred Papua families emigrated to the Netherlands. Until today, the Papuans are a small community in the Netherlands. They are very invisible and many Dutch people do not know much about the Papuan community or culture in the Netherlands.However, the Papuans in the Netherlands are only visible during demonstrations and protests for an independent nation. Until today, the Dutch government does not respond to these protests.NEWLY ARRIVED INDONESIANSMost people who now come from Indonesia are students, expats or because of a relationship.In 2018 the Indonesians were the third largest migrant group after the Turks and Moroccans.Every year 1,500 Indonesians come to the Netherlands to study. Popular Dutch universities amoung Indonesians are the University of Leiden, University of Groningen, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology and Wageningen Agricultural University.The Hague is a popular location for Indonesians. The campus of the University of Leiden and the TU Delft are located near or in the municipality of The Hague. The Indonesian embassy is located there, as well as Indonesian schools (Sekolah Indonesia) and many authentic Indonesian restaurants.Indonesian school in Wassenaar, near The Hague.Cultural exchange of Indonesian teachers at a Dutch primary school.Diploma presentation of the University of Leiden.The president of Indonesia visiting the oldest university of the Netherlands, the University of Leiden (est. 1575). The Leiden University’s Asian Library holds one of the major Asian collections in the Western World including the largest Indonesian collection worldwide.The statue of the first Indonesian doctor of the University of Leiden, Dr. Hoesein Djajadiningrat (1913).Pasar Raya Indonesia in Rijswijk, near The Hague. A major cultural festival that marks the celebration of the Indonesian Independence Day.Most new migrants from Indonesia are mainly devoted to the Islamic faith.Indonesian Mosque in The Hague, Masjid Al-Hikmah.Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin talks about the differences between the Indonesian and Arabic Islam at the Catholic University Radboud in Nijmegen (southern Netherlands)Various Amsterdam mosques (including Indonesian mosques) that come together for a joint service in the Amsterdam West district.Political relations between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia.Melanie Schultz van Haegen (right), the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management together with one of the most popular politician in the Netherlands, the Moroccan-Dutch, Ahmed Aboutaleb (left), the mayor of Rotterdam. Accompany the president of Indonesia through the largest port of Europe. How Rotterdam can help to modernize the port of Jakarta. Indonesia has ambitious plans to improve port infrastructure in order to grow into a maritime hub in Asia.Since 2013, mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb has been a close friend of Jakarta. Back then Joko Widodo was the governor of Jakarta.The agreement Jakarta-Rotterdam in 2017.Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands has made many visits to Indonesia and is also very familiar with the Indonesian culture. His parents lived in the Dutch East Indies and emigrated to the Netherlands in 1958. It is well known that the prime minister loves the Indonesian cuisine and visits many Indonesian restaurants in The Hague. His favorite Indonesian restaurants in The Hague are the Poentjak and Soeboer.As a former manager at the multinational company Unilever, Prime Minister Rutte is always committed to the economy.In the Indonesian parliament he said: "It took too long for the Netherlands to come to terms with the colonization of Indonesia and the painful process of separation that followed the end of the Second World War". Prime Minister Rutte would like to work economically with Indonesia and look forward to the future. Both countries are among the top 20 largest economies in the world. In his view, Indonesia and the Netherlands can learn a lot from each other and together strengthen each other's economies.After Singapore, China and Japan, the Netherlands is the fourth largest foreign investor in Indonesia.Queen Maxima of the Netherlands also has often visited Indonesia. As a former banker at Deutsche Bank in New York, Queen Maxima has been a special advocate for the United Nations since 2009. She is committed to increase access to digital financial services in developing countries. And encourages national governments to invest more in financial services, improve consumer protection and provide financial skills for people who want to start their own (micro) business.In conclusionAlthough in the past there were big political differences of opinion between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia. But we cannot ignore the existence of a ‘social’ bond between the peoples of both nations for more then 400 years.The Netherlands has a large group of people whose origins lie in contemporary Indonesia. Until the 1980s, there were minor difficulties between the Dutch-Indonesians and the Moluccans. Nowadays all different population groups from the Indonesian archipelago have fully accepted each other.The peoples from the Indonesian archipelago are welcomed with open arms by the Dutch people. The Dutch not only enjoy the Indonesian hospitality, but are also delighted that the Indonesian cuisine has been brought to the Netherlands.Thank you for reading. I hope you have gained more insight about the different Indonesian cultures in the Netherlands.An update in response to the Dutch royal visit to the Republic of Indonesia.On March 10, 2020, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, apologized for Dutch violence in the Indonesia's war for independence. The apologies were not in consultation with the Dutch government, which strongly advised the king not to talk about apologies. Queen Beatrix wanted to apologize to the Indonesian people in 1995, but was also opposed by the Dutch government.State visit of Queen Beatrix in 1995However, King Willem-Alexander ignored the Dutch government this time and apologized. Some Dutch politicians, veterans and people who also experienced the war in the Dutch East Indies were not happy that the king apologized. According to them, they have also been victims in the Bersiap period and do not receive any apologies.President Soeharto and Queen Juliana in 1971. At the time, the wounds were still too fresh to discuss the past.However, the majority of the Dutch population is satisfied that King Willem-Alexander has apologized. Most Dutch (young) people see the Indonesian war of independence and decolonization as a black page in their history and now want to look to the future.A number of prominent Dutch politicians such as foreign ministers and prime ministers have previously apologized. Therefore, the Dutch government did not feel it necessary for the king to apologize again. However, the king ignored the advice of the Dutch government. His own personal words, the highest authority in the Netherlands, outweighs the words of his ministers.Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of YogyakartaThe Dutch king is also a part-time pilot with KLM royal Dutch airlines, in order to make sufficient flight hours to retain his pilot's license.King Willem-Alexander has just landed the government plane at Yogyakarta airport.Thank you for taking the time to read all this! You may also be interested in my opinion of the other major migrant communities in the Netherlands? The Moroccan and Turkish people.Andrew Simons's answer to What do Europeans think of North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia)?Andrew Simons's answer to What is the main reason of dislike for Turks in Europe: religion, Asiatic origins, or history?