The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of the legacy of colonialism in the Dutch East Indies in the present-day Netherlands. Often, studies on the memorialization of the...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of the legacy of colonialism in the Dutch East Indies in the present-day Netherlands. Often, studies on the memorialization of the colonial period focus on binary categories of colonizer and the colonized, in this case, the Dutch and the Indonesians. Historically there has been a group that posed a challenge to the rigid frames of both Dutch and Indonesian identity politics: the Indo-Europeans. This thesis focuses on the post-colonial identity formation of first-generation Dutch Indo-Europeans and the role the past plays in this process. The research question that this thesis tries to answer is the following: How did the colonial racist policies in the Dutch East Indies influence the identity formation of first-generation Dutch Indo-Europeans? In order to answer this question, this thesis relies on oral history. Forty hours of interviews with twelve Dutch Indo-Europeans have been analysed using grounded theory. The analysis of the dominant memory discourse shows that the memories of the late colonial and early post-colonial society of the first-generation Dutch Indo-Europeans are highly structured, plotted narratives. This dominant plot sequence shapes most of their memories, including the memories of segregation in society. An intersectional analysis of their recollections further indicates that not only race but especially class and gender were also important factors for explaining difference in the late colonial and early post-colonial society. This work suggests that post-colonial identity formation of first-generation Dutch Indo-Europeans is highly influenced by the colonial past, and by colonial racist policies in the Dutch East Indies more specifically. The narratives of the interviewees echo certain colonial discourses, of which two are identified and discussed in this thesis extensively: a discourse of ‘in-betweenness’ and an oriental discourse. Dutch Indo-Europeans identify themselves in relation to Dutch and Indonesians, positioning themselves in between these two categories, a legacy of the legal categories based on race in the colonial society. The oriental discourse that was used to legitimize these racist colonial policies shaped the self-identification of first-generation Dutch Indo-Europeans as well.Show less
This thesis discusses, through a literary survey and fieldwork in Tokyo and Osaka, the question to what extent there is an imperial legacy or discourse resonating in Japanese museums. In particular...Show moreThis thesis discusses, through a literary survey and fieldwork in Tokyo and Osaka, the question to what extent there is an imperial legacy or discourse resonating in Japanese museums. In particular, it focuses on the representation of the Ainu and Koreans between 1977 and 2017 in the Tokyo National Museum (Tohaku) and the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku), located in Osaka. Research shows that an imperial discourse is present, particulary in the linguistic terminology and items put up on display. However, as the case study of the Ainu in Minpaku shows, there is room for change and balance.Show less
