Netherlands is returning 288 objects taken during its colonial occupation of Indonesia, including weapons, jewelry, and textiles looted from Bali after the 1906 Puputan Badung war. The handover takes place at the Wereldmuseum in Amsterdam, in the presence of Indonesian cultural officials. This restitution follows similar efforts in 2023, with Dutch museums continuing to address colonial heritage injustices. The returned artefacts include krisses, gilded spearheads, and statues of Hindu deities, all of which carry spiritual and cultural significance.
The 1906 military operation in Bali, which led to mass ritual suicides in defiance of Dutch invaders, is a focal point for these restitutions. Artefacts from the Puputan Badung war, including weapons used by Balinese courtiers and children, hold deep cultural resonance. The Dutch army looted the items after violently suppressing resistance and arresting Balinese royalty, with approximately 1,000 Balinese killed in the fighting.
Today’s restitution follows recommendations by the Colonial Collections Committee, tasked with addressing objects wrongfully taken from colonized regions. Minister Eppo Bruins emphasized the importance of returning these artefacts, highlighting the moral responsibility for redressing historical wrongs.
While the policy of returning looted objects continues under the current Dutch government, the stance of far-right PVV leader Geert Wilders—opposing the return of colonial heritage—casts uncertainty on future restitutions. However, coalition partners have prioritized the continuation of these efforts, aiming to reconcile with past injustices.
The ongoing handover of objects stolen during Dutch colonialism exemplifies the broader movement towards restitution and acknowledgment of cultural theft. Museums worldwide are increasingly addressing their role in colonial exploitation, with Indonesia being one of the key nations involved in these reparations.
