Berlin:The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Berlin has successfully facilitated the return of ten Indonesian cultural artefacts, specifically ancestral human remains, from the Museum Wiesbaden in Germany. This significant event was marked by a formal handover ceremony, where Indonesia's Ambassador to Germany, Abdul Kadir Jailani, signed the Arrangement on Repatriation of Ten Human Remains from the Ernst Albert Fritze Collection.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia, these remains had been in Germany for nearly two centuries and were identified through forensic research and archival investigations involving experts from Goethe University Frankfurt, the University of Cologne, and the Museum Wiesbaden. The research traced the origins of the remains to various regions in Indonesia, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and Papua.
The process of returning these remains included the discovery of labels indicating their previous holding at the National Museum of Indonesia during the Dutch colonial period. Historical records reveal that the remains were collected by Dr. Ernst Albert Fritze, a military doctor from Hesse. However, the circumstances of their acquisition remain unclear as per the repatriation agreement.
Ambassador Jailani emphasized the importance of this repatriation, stating that it is not just a transfer of historical objects but a significant step in restoring the dignity of the Indonesian nation. The return symbolizes the ancestors' journey back to their homeland after many years.
Timon Grenmels, Hesse State Minister for Arts and Sciences, commended the collaboration, highlighting it as a reflection of the strong ties between Indonesia and Germany. He noted that the Museum Wiesbaden is pioneering efforts in Germany to address colonial legacies by returning human remains to their countries of origin.
The ten sets of human remains will be received by the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta, where conservation measures will be undertaken. The Indonesian Government plans to continue its research to uncover more historical details and, if possible, identify descendants or communities with cultural ties to these individuals for appropriate follow-up actions.
The Indonesian Embassy in Berlin hopes this initiative by the Museum Wiesbaden will encourage similar collaborations with other German institutions, aiming for the repatriation of more human remains and cultural artefacts to Indonesia.