PUI Javanologi Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta (UNS) held an International Webinar entitled “133 Years History of the Javanese of Suriname”. This series of international webinars was held in collaboration with PUI Javanologi UNS and JIDNL Netherlands. This event is the realization of the MoA, which was agreed and signed last September in Amsterdam, Netherlands. At a later time, there will be also online and non-online language, arts, and cultural heritage courses, training about Javanese cultures (TEKO JAHE), and gatherings for Javanese arts performances in the Netherlands.
A total of 330 participants from 10 countries. Participants consist of the World Javanese Diaspora Network in Europe, America, Asia, and Australia; the Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname in Indonesia and Malaysia; Javanese Youth Global Networks; Lecturers and academics, Students; researchers, critics, cultural observers, artists, and Javanese Culture Observer.
International Webinar “133 Years History of the Javanese of Suriname” held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 16.00 (Jakarta), 10.00 (Amsterdam), and 06.00 (Paramaribo). This webinar was held via virtual Zoom meeting and live YouTube streaming by presenting a keynote speaker: Mrs. Hariëtte Mingoen (Javanese Diaspora Netherlands), Welcome Speech: Prof. Sahid Teguh Widodo, M.Hum., Ph.D. (Head of PUI Javanologi UNS), and Opening Remarks: Mr. Johan Raksowidjojo (Head of Javanen in Diaspora Nederland). This webinar featured 3 main speakers: Mr. Erick Rahmat Moertabat (Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to the Republic of Indonesia and Malaysia), Dr. Marrik Bellen (Director of KITLV Jakarta), Dr. Susanto, M. Hum. (Head of the Cultural Studies Master’s Program Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UNS), and the moderator was Mrs. Sietske Rijpkema (Royal Holloway, University of London)
Ibu Hariëtte Mingoen as a representative of Javanese Diaspora Netherlands and also as keynote speaker, raised a theme entitled “133 years history of the Javanese of Suriname”. She emphasized that Javanese history in Suriname cannot be separated from the Dutch colonial past in the East. She stated that this information would be useful for a better understanding of our history and our challenges. She first talked about contract labor as a reform of slavery. It highlighted the treatment differences of Hindustani and Javanese indentured workers. Second, the recruitment and transportation of Javanese indentured workers using ships, which were not suitable for long-distance passenger transport. Causing 32 people to die out of 614 passengers. She also mentioned the economic and the living conditions of the Javanese in Suriname during the period, in which they lived with poor treatment, poor housing, and sanitary facilities, as well as harsh and unlawful treatment by supervisors and plantation management. She then brought up the non-compliance with a provision of the right of repatriation which resulted in an extension of the contract as the only solution to retain their right to repatriation. Social stratification was also part of the history, where the whiter the skin, the higher the position on the social ladder. Furthermore, she mentioned social mobility from the fifties onwards. Many Javanese in Suriname turned to finding employment in bauxite mining. They also made leaps in education. He also said that the Javanese artist community in Suriname plays a big role in local and international art, active in exhibitions and cultural promotion. Before and shortly after independence, many Javanese migrated to the Netherlands, tearing families apart, but emotional ties remained strong, with many making the circular journey to Suriname.
Erick Rahmat Moertabat states that information is now made easier by technology even though it still depends on historical records. “At least we have some information that will not be found in Indonesian sources. The history of the Dutch colonial government is not actually taught in schools”. He explained how Indonesian descendants in Suriname live with this? Each of us has a different story and set of emotions, surely generations after the first generation have developed sympathies that will ultimately create a different life from Indonesia because now, they are all in Suriname. It has been explained that the preservation of Javanese culture and identity, which historically has very close relations with Suriname and Indonesia, migrated to Suriname in 1890. Indonesia has a lot of attention to the diaspora in Suriname. In the Javanese community around 80,000 people or around 14% of the total population, the country maintains Japanese culture and language and adds unique ethnic and cultural elements. Indonesia is committed to supporting cultural and social activities in the community, especially Java. One example of this is the inauguration of the establishment of the Documentation Center in January 2023 and the launch of a book on the history of Javanese Surinamese migration on August 8 this year
Dr. Marrik Bellen states that our history in Suriname cannot be separated from the Dutch colonial past in the slave system and its Eastern successors. Forced labor was first applied in the Dutch East Indies and then in Suriname. The view that Indonesian society does not pay much attention to the colonial past to some extent is wrong. It is the result of a Eurocentric view of Indonesian historiography. He said that the treatment of workers during the Dutch colonial government referred to the forced cultivation system introduced during the Dutch East Indies
Dr. Susanto, M. Hum expressed interest and admiration for the article, considering it very important information for Indonesians. The article discusses the long history of the Javanese community from Indonesia to Suriname and South America, including the topics of investment contracts, recruitment, social transformation, social mobility, immigration, and preserving cultural diversity. Mr. Susanto highlighted several interesting aspects such as Jaran Kepang, Wayang Kulit, Ludruk, Tayuk, and Kulinare, and related them to personal experience. The article also discusses multi-cultural aspects, with readers suggesting additional information about the ethnic composition of Suriname, such as Kriko, Hindustani, Javanese, Indian, Chinese, and Jirupan. Mr. Susanto emphasized the importance of discussing ethnic relations in Suriname and Indonesia, especially in the context of lyrics that reflect social harmony. Mr. Susanto concluded that Javanese songs in Suriname emphasize social harmony more than Japanese songs in Indonesia, and they suggested further comparisons. Dr.Susanto also highlighted two aspects that he thought needed to be discussed more, namely multi-cultural aspects and Japanese thought, philosophy, and attitudes. They suggest further exploration of cultural-ecological ties in Suriname, as well as comparisons between Japanese thought in Suriname and Indonesia
At the end, this conference closed with a closing statement from Mr. Johan Raksowidjojo (Chairman of Javanen in Diaspora Nederland), who stated that from the entire seminar and the different speakers, there were many good stories. He also said that this seminar could be the start of more themes for other webinars that could be told to each other about Java in Suriname. He thanked the participants for being very patient in taking part in the webinar, and he also said that this webinar was the reason for future webinars to occur.
