Have you heard about the Hakka people? They’re a unique Chinese subgroup. Today we stand before a testament to their legacy. This is Hakka Indonesia. It’s in Jakarta. It aims to share a new perspective.
Hakka Indonesia offers insight. It sheds light on the community’s history. This history is significant. Hakka people originated from China’s southern seaboard. Guangdong and Fujian provinces were their homes. Many Hakka migrated to Kalimantan in the 1200s. The largest migration to Southeast Asia occurred in the 1800s. Upheavals in China led to poverty for many.
Ethnic Chinese lived peacefully in Indonesia. This lasted until 1965. After a coup attempt, many became targets. Chinese language culture and names faced bans. The May 1998 riots targeted ethnic Chinese again. In 1999, the ban on Chinese cultural expressions lifted.
The museum is shaped like a tulou. Tulou are rural Hakka dwellings. They use stone bamboo and wood. The museum displays artifacts. Vintage pictures show Hakka migration. They show Hakka activities in Indonesia during the 1800s and 1900s. Comprehensive explanations accompany the displays. Pictures of prominent Hakka figures are on display. These figures hail from Indonesia and the world.
The Prosperous Indonesian Hakka Community initiated the museum. Members of the community donated many items. Businessman Iwan Mahatirta chairs the museum. Surikin better known as Chow Susin heads the office. He shares that the museum aims to offer a different perspective. This is especially about Chinese Indonesians.
Many view ethnic Chinese negatively in Indonesia. This includes the Hakka people. Hakka Indonesia hopes to eliminate bad sentiment. It teaches visitors something new. Many don’t know the Hakka suffered. They want to show the Hakka contributed to Indonesia’s development. Hakka aren’t just money-hungry merchants.
Many Hakka businesspeople contributed to the economy. Several are excellent politicians. During Indonesia’s struggle for independence Hakka figures were involved. Hasan Karman is Singkawang’s mayor. Christiandy Sanjaya was West Kalimantan’s deputy governor. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is Jakarta’s governor. He’s of Hakka descent. He’s proven an excellent leader. He greatly contributed to Jakarta’s development.
Hakka Indonesia hopes to challenge perspectives. It’s a place to learn. It’s a place to appreciate the Hakka’s story. The Indonesian Hakka Museum stands as a bridge. It connects the past with the present. It fosters understanding. It honors a resilient community.