Customary law in South Africa was transformed by its incorporation into the colonial and later Apartheid state. In this regard, the work of colonial administrators and scholars were important as...Show moreCustomary law in South Africa was transformed by its incorporation into the colonial and later Apartheid state. In this regard, the work of colonial administrators and scholars were important as their visions of idealised ‘tribal’ society and chiefly rule with despotic and patriarchal qualities were often largely reproduced in official state policy, and served to legitimate white minority rule. Literature on this subject has tended to either be situated within a national narrative, or largely focus on British policies of indirect rule. Tracing the career and thought of F.D. ‘Frits’ Holleman in the first half of the 20th Century, as he moved from judicial and scholarly appointments in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), to posts at Leiden University in the Netherlands and ultimately Stellenbosch University in South Africa, allows for a more explicitly global approach to the subject. It also demonstrates an insufficiently-acknowledged transfer of Dutch colonial expertise and experience from an established body of Indonesian adat law scholarship, originating at Leiden University, to an emerging field of customary law scholarship in the strongly Afrikaner Nationalist environment of Stellenbosch. While Holleman’s work on South African customary law was in some ways distinct from what he had worked on before, many of the concepts and characteristics he ascribed to African societies were straightforwardly transposed from his work on adat law, which stood within a tradition of scholarship that demonstrated both paternal/empathic concern for protecting non-Western law, and a strong essentialising impulse, leading to broad and enduring generalisations about supposedly ‘primitive’ societies. Beyond Holleman’s own trajectory, this study holds broader significance in the way it demonstrates the spread of theories of adat law far beyond their place of origin, and their influence on South African thinking about customary law. Moreover, the structural factors which allowed Holleman and his ideas to travel, suggest connections far deeper than a single individual; Holleman’s case has implications for how we think about the ongoing relationship between the Netherlands and South Africa, and indeed a triangular relationship between the Netherlands, Indonesia and South Africa. It may also offer a new lens with which to view the revival of traditionalist politics in both South Africa and Indonesia.Show less
Research master thesis | History: Societies and Institutions (research) (MA)
open access
2012-12-31T00:00:00Z, 2012-12-31T00:00:00Z
This thesis examines the content and form of the ambivalence displayed by indigenous inhabitants of North Formosa in their relations with the VOC servants in the seventeenth century (1642-1662,...Show moreThis thesis examines the content and form of the ambivalence displayed by indigenous inhabitants of North Formosa in their relations with the VOC servants in the seventeenth century (1642-1662, 1664-1668). It offers an ethnographic reconstruction of North Formosa, two narratives of the encounter with foregrounded indigenous characters, and an analysis of the name of Basay for a reconsideration of the nature of the Basay community. With its three experiments of historical writing, this thesis not only provides a reconstruction of North Formosa and its inhabitants but also reflects upon the potential of using non-indigenous sources to write indigenous history. The conclusion confirms that ambivalence is inevitable for the Basay who acted as the middlemen between local inhabitants and the Dutch in the North Formosan trading network, whereas other North Formosans like the River Peoples and the Kavalan felt freer to act according to their wills. Also, although non-indigenous sources show the potentials for reconstructing indigenous history, there are also challenges such as turning fragmented ethnographic details into a coherent ethnography and building the roundness of indigenous characters by foregrounding them in the chain of historical events. This thesis recommends ways to overcome these challenges and indicates ‘to be written’ as the burden of indigenous writers for a mixture of purposes.Show less
In deze scriptie wordt besproken in hoeverre de Nederlandsch Indische koloniale kranten een uitlaatklep vormden voor maatschappelijk engagement en verontwaardiging. De schrijver daarbij benieuwd...Show moreIn deze scriptie wordt besproken in hoeverre de Nederlandsch Indische koloniale kranten een uitlaatklep vormden voor maatschappelijk engagement en verontwaardiging. De schrijver daarbij benieuwd hoe groot de verwijdering tussen koloniale en inheemse samenleving was – identificeerden journalisten (en lezers) zich met de inheemse bevolking of distantieerden ze zich daarvan? Er wordt gebruik gemaakt van relevante literatuur over het apartheidskarakter van de koloniale samenleving (bv Gouda) en over de koloniale pers Termorshuizen en Sens en Bosma).Show less
Verslag van een onderzoek naar de parallellen tussen de ideeën en acties van Van der Plas als bestuurder en als ontwikkelingswerker. Uit de vastgestelde parallellen wordt een mate van continuïteit...Show moreVerslag van een onderzoek naar de parallellen tussen de ideeën en acties van Van der Plas als bestuurder en als ontwikkelingswerker. Uit de vastgestelde parallellen wordt een mate van continuïteit vastgesteld tussen de gedachte achter de 'ethische politiek' en het ontwikkelingswerk van na 1950.Show less
This thesis focused on the question of how it had been possible for Europeans to become ‘white rajas’ in eastern Indonesian contexts. In order to answer this question, I have conducted a...Show moreThis thesis focused on the question of how it had been possible for Europeans to become ‘white rajas’ in eastern Indonesian contexts. In order to answer this question, I have conducted a microhistorical study on the ‘social life’ of the ‘successful’ missionary Ernst Steller, who had been working on the island of Sangihe Besar. Ernst Steller eventually managed to acquire significant social status in local society, an extraordinary large following, access to a large free labour force, a large plantation, and eventually the ability to dominate local chiefly politics. In order to explain Ernst Steller’s political, social and economic rise, I have utilized Tony Ballantyne’s concept of ‘imperial entanglement’, which positions the missionary as a dependent social actor within local society. As Ernst Steller had been largely dependent on local elites, he became a part of local society, and had to adapt to local culture and institutions. Ernst Steller actively participated in the competitive and ritualistic politics of Sangihe Besar – in the process adapting and manipulating local cultural conceptions and institutions in order to achieve his own goals. Due to his connections to the Netherlands and the Dutch colonial state, Ernst Steller eventually managed to gain an edge over the local elites. Ultimately, Ernst Steller became one of the dominant figures in the Sangirese political arena, together with a small number of European actors who had used similar ways to acquire their political, social and economic positions. These ‘white rajas’ competed amongst each other, perpetuating the competitive and ritualistic political culture of Sangihe Besar. This thesis has demonstrated that 1) missionaries had – given the right political and social circumstances – been able to transform their dependent social positions into positions of political power, and 2) social mobility in Sangirese contexts greatly resembled processes of social mobility in both eastern Indonesian and Melanesian contexts.Show less
The thesis examines the conflict resolution of the inhabitants of Makassar in the eighteenth century. In the focus are the Chinese and Wajorese ethnic groups. It concerns itself with the question...Show moreThe thesis examines the conflict resolution of the inhabitants of Makassar in the eighteenth century. In the focus are the Chinese and Wajorese ethnic groups. It concerns itself with the question of why the inhabitants of Makassar made use of the colonial courts of the VOC for arbitration. To this end, specific cases of dispute in the courts of the VOC are examined. The thesis concludes that none of the proposed theories and concepts on their own are able to explain the complex system of motivations, institutions, and trust. Rather, by taking different approaches into account, additional dynamics of conflict resolution in the city are revealed.Show less
Between 1639 and 1854 was the Netherlands the only European country allowed to trade with Japan. After 1854, when Commodore Perry uses gunboat diplomacy to open diplomatic contact with Japan, the...Show moreBetween 1639 and 1854 was the Netherlands the only European country allowed to trade with Japan. After 1854, when Commodore Perry uses gunboat diplomacy to open diplomatic contact with Japan, the unique position of the Netherlands had changed drastically. Nonetheless, the Dutch government was not eager to give up its monopoly on Japan that easily. As a result, after Japan opened, the Dutch government can be observed undertaking many projects in Japan to convince the Japanese that unique relations with the Dutch were still in the Japanese interest. Especially in Nagasaki, where the Dutch had a trading post for since the 17th century, the Dutch undertook many projects and this started to shape the city going forward. This thesis examines how Dutch influence shaped three prominent sectors in Nagasaki throughout the nineteenth century; the rising military & industrial sectors and the declining trade sector in Nagasaki. The developments in these sectors are framed within wider Japanese history of that era and also the decline of Dutch influence in the nineteenth century. The conclusion of this thesis is that the Dutch still fulfilled a prominent position within Japanese, and then especially Nagasaki, after the years of the opening in 1854. The Dutch worked hard to introduce Japan with new military and industrial knowledge, while simulataneously aiming to include within a new trade network. The Dutch supplied new materials, worked as teacher and also worked as intermediaries with other Western nations. Eventually the Dutch could not keep up with other Western nations and by the 1870s most Dutch experts had disappeared from Japan. Nonetheless, by this time their influence had played a major role in Nagasaki. The basis had been laid for the rise of many factories in the city, the city had become a centre for military knowledge and trade had dwindled from the city. Byt the time the last of the Dutch experts left, Nagasaki had been set on a course to become a military-industrial complex, which would play an important part in the next century.Show less
In de tweede helft van de 17e eeuw stuurde de Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie drie gezantschappen naar het Chinese hof te Peking in een poging om daar handelsbetrekkingen aan te knopen. In deze...Show moreIn de tweede helft van de 17e eeuw stuurde de Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie drie gezantschappen naar het Chinese hof te Peking in een poging om daar handelsbetrekkingen aan te knopen. In deze scriptie worden de eerste twee van die gezantschappen naast elkaar gelegd. Ook wordt er gekeken naar pogingen van andere Europese landen, in die periode, om via het Keizerlijk hof toegang tot de Chinese markt te krijgen. Er worden twee vragen gesteld;allereerst is de vraag welke tactiek de Nederlanders in China volgden. Kort door de bocht kan gesteld worden dat de VOC twee werkwijzen had in Azië. Aan de ene kant was er de agressieve aanpak die zij in de Indonesische archipel met succes gebruikten tegen staten daar en waarmee ze op veel plekken een handelsmonopolie wisten af te dwingen. Aan de andere kant was er de meegaande aanpak, in Japan, bijvoorbeeld, werden de bevelen van de Shōgun strikt opgevolgd, in de hoop niet te worden uitgezet. De vraag is dus wat zij in China deden. Vervolgens is de vraag of de twee gezantschappen van elkaar leerden en, zo ja, wat er dan aan hun aanpak veranderde.Show less
Ten tijde van de Ethische Politiek (1901-1942) in Nederlands-Indie was er veel aandacht voor het 'opheffen' van de inheemse bevolking. Educatie was een van de belangrijke pijlers van deze ...Show moreTen tijde van de Ethische Politiek (1901-1942) in Nederlands-Indie was er veel aandacht voor het 'opheffen' van de inheemse bevolking. Educatie was een van de belangrijke pijlers van deze 'opheffing'. Aan de hand van de koloniale onderwijscongressen van 1916 en 1919 wordt gekeken naar de ontwikkeling van de koloniale onderwijspolitiek in Nederlands-Indie van 1901 tot de jaren 1930 en de relatie die het onderwijs heeft met het 'ethische denken'.Show less
De slavernij in Zuidoost-Azië is door vele historici als mild gezien. Hoe komt de ervaring van slaven ontsnapt uit handen van hun meesters overeen met deze beschrijving? Aan de hand van de...Show moreDe slavernij in Zuidoost-Azië is door vele historici als mild gezien. Hoe komt de ervaring van slaven ontsnapt uit handen van hun meesters overeen met deze beschrijving? Aan de hand van de slavernij in de Sulu zone, en de ondervragingen gedaan door de Nederlanders in Manado.Show less
Kort voor de Japanse inval in Nederlands-Indië (1942) werd een groep van 146 geïnterneerde Indische NSB'ers, de onverzoenlijken, naar Suriname verscheept. Meer dan een jaar na het einde van de...Show moreKort voor de Japanse inval in Nederlands-Indië (1942) werd een groep van 146 geïnterneerde Indische NSB'ers, de onverzoenlijken, naar Suriname verscheept. Meer dan een jaar na het einde van de Tweede Wereldoorlog werden zij vervolgens naar Nederland gebracht waar zij probeerden gerehabiliteerd te worden. In deze scriptie is getracht de beleidslijn ten aanzien van deze groep - de Surinamegroep - te reconstrueren.Show less
Deze scriptie betrof een onderzoek naar de Tweede Boerenoorlog, waarbij een groep onverzoenlijke krijgsgevangenen na afloop van de oorlog zich heeft gevestigd in Nederlands-Indie om daar een...Show moreDeze scriptie betrof een onderzoek naar de Tweede Boerenoorlog, waarbij een groep onverzoenlijke krijgsgevangenen na afloop van de oorlog zich heeft gevestigd in Nederlands-Indie om daar een landbouwkolonie te runnen die zij kregen toegewezen door de Nederlandse regering in Indië.Show less
Vanaf rond 1900 voerde de Nederlandse regering in Nederlands Indië een beleid wat later “ethische politiek” werd genoemd. De vraag die in dit werkstuk centraal staat is in hoeverre de “ethische...Show moreVanaf rond 1900 voerde de Nederlandse regering in Nederlands Indië een beleid wat later “ethische politiek” werd genoemd. De vraag die in dit werkstuk centraal staat is in hoeverre de “ethische politiek” van die periode zich verhield met de visie en de houding van resident Dingemans? In het onderstaande wordt deze vraag beantwoordt op basis van de nota’s van de resident en de bespreking en beschrijving van de “ethische politiek” in de literatuur. De houding van de bestuursambtenaren beweegt zich tussen twee typeringen “ontwikkelingswerkers avant la lettre” en de “paternalistische, zelfvoldane ambtenaren”. Het is de vraag welke typering op de resident van toepassing is. De conclusie is dat zijn maatregelen vallen onder de in de literatuur genoemde thema’s en als “ethisch” zijn te benoemen . De accenten bracht hij zelf aan, echter binnen de beschrijvingen van de ethische politiek namen zijn eigen prioriteiten (inlandse nijverheid, bestrijding van de ondeugden en de wezenopvang) geen prominente plaats in. Beide typeringen zowel ontwikkelingswerker als paternalist zijn van toepassing op zijn houding en gedrag.. De resident staat in de traditie van de christelijk sociale ethiek, hiermee ging hij niet mee in de tendens van verzakelijking en repressie die volgens de literatuur de verhoudingen na 1920 kenmerkten.Show less
Research master thesis | History: Societies and Institutions (research) (MA)
closed access
This study focuses on the political history of Maguindanao, a polity along the western coast of Mindanao (present-day southern Philippines) from ca. 1680 till 1760. Primarily using the archives of...Show moreThis study focuses on the political history of Maguindanao, a polity along the western coast of Mindanao (present-day southern Philippines) from ca. 1680 till 1760. Primarily using the archives of the VOC (Dutch East India Company), it examines three interrelated historiographical issues: (1) the nature of political rule in Maguindanao, (2) the upland-lowland geopolitical divide and the (3) question of Maguindanao political decline. This thesis argues that these issues are better understood if seen from the perspective of complex intra-familial politics. By using the family as a lens, this thesis highlights the important role of women in the conduct of politics. It also dilutes the seemingly rigid division between the upland and lowland Maguindanao by viewing political factions not in terms of fixed political centers, but rather as a consequence of changing family alliances and rivalries.Show less
Research master thesis | History: Societies and Institutions (research) (MA)
open access
This thesis describes and analyzes the famine that occurred in the Netherlands East Indies, c. 1900-1904. The famine affected Java and parts of the Outer Islands. It details (the principles behind)...Show moreThis thesis describes and analyzes the famine that occurred in the Netherlands East Indies, c. 1900-1904. The famine affected Java and parts of the Outer Islands. It details (the principles behind) the relief efforts of the Dutch colonial government. It also analyzes how the colonial government used the famine to accumulate knowledge on the subject, while politically representing and justifying its response. The thesis argues that famines and food shortages are integral to understanding the colonial state and colonial society. Further, it takes a comparative perspective by connecting the famine to famine experiences of other colonial powers in British India and French Indochina.Show less
