Over the years, however, the meaning of Belanda Depok has evolved. These days, it is used to refer to Indonesians who dye their hair blonde and wear Western styles.It can also simply refer to the descendants of slaves who still live in the Depok area to this day.“Look at us. Do we really look like Dutchmen?” Yano Jonathans said.
He explained that the Belanda Depok have always been misunderstood. “Historically, we were often seen as the bad guys,” he said.The terms Belanda and bule Depok came into use after the Dutch government established the first railway system plying the Jakarta and Bogor routes in 1887.According to Yano, the train would stop at the Depok station to pick up passengers.Onboard the train, the Indonesian passengers from Depok would speak fluent Dutch with each other. Other Indonesians who witnessed this started to label them Belanda Depok. From that moment on, the term has been widely used and misused.
During his lifetime, Chastelein actively spread Christianity in Depok through his Christian organization De Eerste Protestante Organisatie van Christenen (The First Protestant Christian Organization), also known as Depoc.Many believe that the city was named after this organization.As a devout Christian, Yano said that Chastelein treated his slaves better than most Dutch landlords. He educated them and taught them to speak Dutch.For this reason, Yano said that Chastelein’s slaves were often branded as workers or spies of the Dutch government. “Being Belanda Depok has not always been easy,” he said.
According to Lembaga Cornelis Chastelein (Cornelis Chastelein Foundation) — a foundation that works to protect the Belanda Depok community’s interests and its assets — there are more than 7,000 descendants in Indonesia and abroad.Of the 12 clans, only the Zodakh clan is no longer in existence.After the declaration of Indonesia’s independence, much of the clans’ lands were acquired by the government.The Belanda Depok managed to hold on to their private residences and community facilities.
The iconic Immanuel Church was where Chastelein practiced and spread Christianity. With a tall tower and white facade, the church features the Dutch style common at the time.“The Belanda Depok were actually the first people to build Depok,” said Vence Turalakey, headmaster of Pemuda High School, which is maintained by the foundation. “A long time before other people came to Depok, they were already here.”
Vence also pointed out that the descendants of Belanda Depok first governed the city long before independence. In 1871, the Dutch granted them autonomy to independently govern Depok. The house that was used by the president of Depok — the system of government in the area in the 1800s — can still be found on Jalan Pemuda. “I feel very proud that I can be in a very historic area every day,” said Gloria Angel Stevani, a student at Pemuda High School.“Belanda Depok played a very important part in the history of Depok and Indonesia, I think young Indonesians should know more about that.”
“It’s such a shame that many young people who live in Depok don’t know about this story,” said Samantha Oktaviana, who studies at the same school.Yano and Yulia are making an effort to try to educate people. Since 2000, Yano has been working on his book, “Depok Tempo Doeloe” (“Depok in the Past”), which traces the city’s beginnings.He finished the book in 2005, but could not find a publisher until recently. In 2008, an unnamed high-ranking official in the Netherlands sponsored the publication of the book, which is scheduled for release this year.
If it were up to Yano, he would even change Depok’s official anniversary from April 20, 1999 — when it was officially recognized as a city — to the date when the 12 clans were granted land ownership by Chastelein. He is also lobbying for the government to declare the Pemuda area as a cultural heritage center like Jakarta’s Kota Tua (Old Town).Yulia said that informal gatherings are often held by the Chastelein Foundation to try and keep the Belanda Depok united and aware of their origins.
But even with their campaign for more recognition, Yulia wants people to be aware of this fact: “Although our names may sound Dutch, we’re totally Indonesian.”
This post was submitted by Tasa Nugraza Barley/IM.
Mr. Yano and Mrs. Yulia I'm imressed with your effort to put the history of Depok to the right track. Keep struggling! May be you can put into your consideration to make some events/activities or whatever that uniquely Depok (similar to Keroncong Tugu) that can attract people's attention and make them aware that Depok has a very very long history, not just the city of yesterday. Maybe you can create an annual event like Chastelein Nachtmarkt along Jalan Pemuda to celebrate the day when the 12 clans got their names.
Make a tight bond among the offspring of the Belanda Depok, and make them proud to be the descendants of Belanda Depok.
Good luck.