Child Separation in Colonial and Independent Indonesia: Challenging Colonial Archives and Exploring Crossways of Knowledge Production

Roundtable Convenor(s)

• MD

  Maaike Derksen

  Radboud Institute for Culture and History, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands

Roundtable Chair(s)

• MM

  Marit Monteiro

  Radboud Institute for Culture and History, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands

Roundtable Participant(s)

• MD

  Maaike Derksen

  Radboud Institute for Culture and History, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
• AS

  Agus Suwignyo

  Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
• CC

  Chiara Candaele

  State Archives of Belgium & Huygens ING-KNAW, Belgium
• GM

  Geertje Mak

  KNAW · Huygens Institute for Dutch History (Huygens ING-KNAW), Netherlands
• RS

  Riza Surya

  Gadjah Mada University & Radboud University Nijmegen, Indonesia
• GS

  Galuh Ambar Sasi

  Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Indonesia

Roundtable Abstract:

This roundtable endeavours to stimulate scholarly dialogues and exchange concerning the historical investigation into the separation of children from their families, specifically, their placement in children's homes, orphanages, pesantren, and boarding schools in both colonial and independent Indonesia. Local examples of such institutions established during colonial times include the Don Bosco orphanage, the Soerabajaasche Inrichting voor Jongens-Weezen (JWI), and Roemah Pemiliharaan Anak Jatim in Surabaya. These institutions played a significant role in separating children from their maternal cultures and their prior familial associations. Through a process of education and enculturation, children within these institutions were instilled with cultural norms and loyalties that often aligned with prevailing political agendas.

The central theme of this roundtable revolves around the coloniality of institutional sources concerning child separation and the methodologies through which researchers can critically assess, identify, and counterbalance such sources. We aim to deepen our understanding of how scholarly knowledge is transmitted, shaped, and sometimes distorted by colonial archival sources, emphasizing the principles of decolonization. By reevaluating the dynamics of knowledge production and the impact of coloniality on historical sources, this roundtable seeks to contribute to a more comprehensive and equitable understanding of child separation, archival sources, and the broader colonial legacy within Indonesia's historical context.

Discussion points:

Coloniality of institutional sources: We will explore the coloniality embedded in institutional sources related to child separation, and examine the ways in which colonial narratives have influenced historical records. This will include discussions on strategies and methodologies for researchers to scrutinize, unveil, and counterbalance the biases within these sources.

Formal and Informal knowledge dynamics: Participants will delve into the dynamic interplay between formal knowledge structures, intrinsically linked with institutional archives, and informal knowledge rooted in practices, experiences, traditions, and private sources. This exploration seeks to challenge the dominant narratives present in institutional archives.

Challenging contextual information: The conversation will encompass the practice of "talking back" to archives and documentary sources, with a specific focus on contextualizing the information they contain. Additionally, we will delve into the scrutiny of contextual information associated with archives, including their location-based context and the dialogues between individuals, communities, and archives.

Amplifying marginalized voices: lastly our discussion will address how to amplify the voices and experiences of those affected by child separation. We will explore the complexities, ambivalences, and emotions inherent in various forms of remembering child separation and seek to re-center these perspectives within the broader historical narrative.