A unique four-armed monument of the Hindu god Ganesha is among Indonesia’s notable accomplishments in its search for factual treasures looted during Dutch colonial rule, along with 828 other social items. The Ganesha monument, carved from volcanic stone and taken from an Indonesian mountain in the mid-19th era, now stands proudly in Jakarta’s National Museum as a symbol of Indonesia’s dedication to preserving its cultural identity.
Visitors to the museum expressed confidence and trust that the monument’s returning will renew interest in the country’s history. ” We fully support it because it is piece of preserving our society”, said 23-year-old Devi Aristya Nurhidayanti, standing before the Ganesha hero. ” Now, never many people are aware of the history. Finally, through work like this, more people will learn that this is part of our heritage”.
One of the hundreds of items that the Netherlands have returned to time is the Ganesha monument. Three Hindu-Buddhist sculptures from a church built in the 13th century close to Mount Semeru are another major pieces. According to scientist Dwi Cahyono, these figures hold symbolic price. He continued, citing that the relocation is a” spiritual energy to calm the fury of disasters in Indonesia,” a nation prone to seismic action, and that standing position” symbolizes vigilance against danger.”
The resettlement is a part of a larger global movement to bring social objects back to previously conquered regions. Following a recommendation from an expert committee in 2020, the Dutch government pledged to gain stolen objects. Solid diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands, supported by a 2017 social contract, facilitated discussions for the transfer of these things.
The transfer of the Ganesha hero and other objects sends a strong message to I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, mind of the Indonesian Collection Repatriation Team in the Netherlands. The value of this is to show that Indonesia can retrieve these things from the worldwide community. This dispels the myth that Indonesia is unable to keep for significant heritage.
While the returning of these items is a milestone, thousands of Indian social treasures still reside worldwide. Continued analysis and dialogue are necessary to restore them. ” I also look forward to the returning of more resources, and this remains a concern, as these items are essential to strengthening our social heritage”, Dwi said.
For some Indonesians, the relocation of the Ganesha hero and other items holds strong personal interpretation. ” When I was a kid, I loved visiting the church materials. But alas, the churches were generally empty”, shared Catur Puji Harsono, who visited the museum with his kids. The statue’s existence now offers a substantial network to Indonesia’s rich cultural history, inspiring renewed efforts to preserve and enjoy its history for future generations.
