Date: January 28th, 2018
Time: 15:00-18:00
Location: Studio/K, Timorplein 62, 1094 CC Amsterdam
Main language: Dutch
Slavery in the Dutch East Indies is a little-known aspect of Dutch colonial history. During this event Reggie Baay will speak to us about this forgotten history. How did slavery in ‘the East’ differ from slavery in ‘the West’? What was the role of the VOC? And what was the position of the njai (concubine) under Dutch colonial rule and during slavery?
Following Reggie Baay’s lecture we will have a public conversation with persons who consider themselves as having a diasporic relationship with the former Dutch East Indies. To what extent can we discern a critical decolonial perspective amongst Dutch East Indian diaspora? What does such a perspective entail? How can the history of slavery figure in a critical decolonial perspective on the Dutch East Indies and its contemporary legacy? Which terminology should be used, how do we evaluate monuments and street names referring to the period of colonisation, and how does one acknowledge the complex legacy of the coloniser, colonised and RNEI soldiers in one’s own family history? In what way can we assure the inclusion of this slavery history into the narratives put forward by the broader decolonial movement that has arisen in the Netherlands in recent times?
About the keynote speaker
Reggie Baay is specialised in colonial and postcolonial literature and history. He published various books on the Dutch East Indies, such as De Njai and Daar werd wat gruwelijks verricht. Currently he conducts research into the history of Dutch slavery in Asia.
Panel members
Surya Nahumury (Black under Oranje), Rochelle van Maanen (Decolonial Network former Dutch East Indies), Sarah Klerks (Indisch 3.0, Redmond Radio) and Michael van Zeijl (activist collective The Gray Century).
Spoken word
Phaidra Johannis (Poetic Falunku).
Practical information
The entrance fee is based on suggested donations ranging from 3 euros for lower incomes, 5 euros for students and middle incomes and 7,50 euros for higher incomes. There is also a possibility for purchasing a combi-ticket with vegetarian & Indonesian food for 15 euro’s. All the donations will be used to cover the expenses made to realise this program. A limited number of places is reserved for people with no income. Should you wish to make use of this arrangement, please do not hesitate to send an email to programmering@studio-k.nu.
This event is part of Studio/K’s School of Critics programme, which consists of monthly workshops, discussions or film screenings on critical or little-known subjects. This discussion is organised by Mariska Jung together with Studio/K and supported by Keti Koti Maand, Histori Bersama, Decolonial Network former Dutch East Indies and BAMM.
Studio/K values to facilitate public debate on otherwise controversial themes, but does not necessarily share the opinions voiced by invited speakers or organizers.