From Banda to the World

Historical romance is overwhelming when talking about the Banda Islands. The rich archaeological artefacts from those heydays are still around and have survived to this day. On Banda Neira Island, there are about 24 archaeological sites, seven of which have been designated as cultural heritage. On the island of Lonthor, there are 11 archaeological sites. These sites exist on other islands nearby but not so many.

Among the historical remnants, there are Fort Belgica, Hollandia, Mini Palace, Hollandische Kerk Church which is said to be the oldest church in Southeast Asia, and several others. On top of that, Banda Neira also houses exile houses of figures from the Indonesian independence movement such as Mohammad Hatta, Sutan Sjahrir, and Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo. Even Rosengain Island’s name was changed to Hatta Island in honour of his services in becoming a great teacher for Banda Neira residents while the Indonesian independence fighter was undergoing exile on the island.

But how about Banda’s future? With such a colossal profile, with massive cultural wealth, Banda should be able to become a world cultural heritage city. Isn’t there an assessment of Outstanding Universal Value? Wasn’t that the primary purpose of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972?

Then, what is the relationship between Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb) and Banda nutmeg and mace? In addition, at the end of the 20th century, it was generally agreed that the cultural values that form WBTb (Intangible Cultural Heritage) played an important role in supporting the narrative of “tangible heritage” and their natural environment.

In 1999, UNESCO stated that the scope of material values (buildings and sites), the environment and natural heritage, then adopted the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage convention (UNESCO, 2003). WBTb is inherited from generation to generation, is continuously created and developed by people in response to their surrounding environment, their interaction with history and nature, giving them a sense of identity and continuity, and promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.

(above) Illustration of collection of nutmeg plantation products in colonial Banda by Henri Zodervan & J.B. Wolters. (Leiden UniversityLibrary, KITLV 52A10), (below) Drying nutmeg in front of the house in avillage in Banda Naira.

Photo: Luca Vaime, https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Luca+Vaime

As a matter of fact, various relics of Banda’s past glory can be used as inspiration for the reconstruction of cultural values to uplift Banda and empower its people. Regional management can be done through the existence of a conservation area, which regulates and protects natural resources as attractions and competitiveness for developing the economic and cultural development of the people of the Banda Islands.

Call it the importance of strengthening local institution and wisdom, community empowerment in managing cultural heritage and WBTb, as well as preserving the charm of its natural beauty and its underwater world, empowerment to improve the standard of living of its people and the community’s economy. We are also aware that Banda’s nutmeg is a promising superior commodity with the potential to meet the high demand of the international markets. In the 10th century alone, Banda’s nutmeg was listed on the main trading list in the port of Alexandria, Egypt. Even more so, around the 14th century, the Negarakertagama book mentioned Wandan (Banda) as one of the spiceproducing islands of eastern Indonesia.

A talk on the Banda Islands always includes the discussion of spices and historical traces of the presence of foreign nations in the archipelago. The fragrance of nutmeg and mace (myristica fragrans) stimulated the arrival of adventurers and traders from all over the world to sail and conquer the vast oceans.

Tome Pires noted that the Gujarati and the Indians were already present in the Banda Islands long before the arrival of European traders such as the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and British. It is also said that the people of Banda had a strong trading fleet that was able to trade nutmeg and mace to as far as the land of Malacca.

However, eventually, the European nations arrived. They took turns colonialising the spice islands. Its people didn’t receive high commodity prices and profits, but centuries of deprivation and oppression. In 1599, the Dutch Fleet I led by Van Hemskerk arrived at Orantata Harbor, Banda Besar, Banda Islands. Then, in 1601, the British fleet came to the Banda Islands for the same purpose of obtaining nutmeg and mace to be brought to the European market. Despite being fellow Europeans, the Dutch viewed Britain as both an enemy and a rival for their trade in the Banda Islands.

In 1602, Banda welcomed the arrival of the second Dutch fleet. J.P. Coen led the fleet. Pires wrote him down as a ruthless leader. He noted that J.P. Coen captured 44 wealthy people brought from Lonthoir Island. The prisoners’ hands were bound tightly, and they were put into bamboo cages. In Banda, J.P. Coen mutilated their body parts such as hands, feet and even heads. This cruel and decisive expedition for the subjugation of the indigenous inhabitants of the Banda Islands took place in April 1621.

Behind this dark history, there is also an important and unique history: Run Island, one of the Banda Islands cluster, was exchanged between England and the Netherlands with the island of Manhattan, the United States in 1667. The exchange of Run Island and Manhattan was contained in the Breda Agreement (Treaty of Breda) which was signed between England, Holland, France and Denmark-Norway. In the agreement,

A small town in Banda Neira with a pentagonalshaped building known as Belgica Fortress, the city's icon.

Photo: farhankudosan https://www.shutterstock.com/g/farhankudosan

the Dutch were willing to relinquish their territory in Nieuw Netherland, America, or currently known as Manhattan Island, in exchange for Run Island. It’s all nutmeg and mace. It was all in order to maintain a monopoly on the world’s spice trade in the 17th century.

Likewise, Banda Neira, one of the islands in the Banda Islands, is so important that it became the first city built by Europeans in the archipelago. Banda Neira was built for the sake of the nutmeg trade run by Europeans. Colonial office buildings and dozens of forts were built in this new city.

Indonesia was the legal holder of the spice route. Indonesia’s spice trail had become a global cultural icon and a route for international diplomacy in the cultural sector. We need to reinforce the spice route ideology. And Banda is an essential locus in proclaiming the glory of the archipelago’s spice route. Aren’t the stories behind the artefacts very important intangible cultural relics? Conservation, which regulates and protects natural resources as an attraction and competitiveness for developing the socio-economic and cultural aspects of the Banda Neira Islands community. There needs to be a model for stakeholders to be involved to manage and develop the high potential of the natural and cultural resources in the Banda Neira Islands. (Mohamad Atqa - Directorate of Cultural Development and Utilization)

One of the villages on Run Island, located at the tip of the Banda Neira archipelago.

Photo: J. Croese https://www.shutterstock.com/g/J.Croese