Pusaka, transferring sacred heirlooms to Indonesia

This entry explores the concept of restitution and its potential role in decolonization, focusing on the return of cultural objects from Dutch museums to Indonesia. Central to the discussion is the concept of pusaka—sacred heirlooms—within Indonesian culture, which is used as a framework to understand the value of objects beyond their materiality. It highlights the colonial history of collecting in Indonesia, where objects were often looted or appropriated during military campaigns and recontextualized in European museums. By examining the return of significant objects such as the Diponegoro kris, the entry illustrates how pusaka reflects cultural, social, and spiritual relationships, emphasizing the importance of relational power in the restitution process. It argues that pusaka offers an alternative to the Western approach to object analysis, advocating for a more inclusive and decolonial understanding of heritage. In doing so, it suggests that object restitution should be viewed not just as a transfer of material goods but as a process that fosters equitable relationships between former colonizers and colonized nations.