The inspiration for the Dayak Literacy Movement, one among a thousand, were Dutch East Indies company figures.
We do not (never) condemn history; we even learn from history. For example, how is the populist economic movement called the Dayak Credit Union today a company.
We learned from the VOC, we don’t want to go bankrupt. In fact, it’s getting bigger and bigger, multiplying, and spreading. We, Dayaks, want to be kings in our own land.
That’s an example of how we learn from history: historia docet.
There is Governor General Raffles. We also learned how to write history without plagiarism, such as The History of Java.
Then from Daendels, we learned about development that must be forced.
Historia vero testis temporum. History is the witness of the times.Thus history testifies. About the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies whose full name is Herman Willem Daendels.
This long-haired ruler of the Dutch East Indies was omnipotent. Practicing forced labour. Replacing officials at will. As well as being successful compared to other Dutch East Indies governor generals.However, he was dethroned. Precisely because it is powerful.
On November 22, 1810. Jan Willem Janssens was appointed by Emperor Napoleon to replace his position. End of history Daendels. He was killed by a silent conspiracy, which he did not see. Because it feels omnipotent.
That’s how the politics of “marginalized marginalized weaklings” work. Punish the iron fist even though he succeeded in building the Dutch East Indies empire in the archipelago.
Accompanying its extraordinary success in the colonies.The beginning of the violence and oppression in the archipelago during Daendels’ time was his personal ambition. Absolute power because it is in one hand.As an advocate, Daendels understands well. Political and economic power must be accompanied by cultural power.
So the indigenous symbols were replaced with Dutch terms.Residents are treated according to interests. In such a way, so that 5 population groups were formed. However, at the same time, the VOC was also worried about the unity of the population over the area of origin.
The proof is, the more divided, the more mixed population.Daendels was elected as the 36th Governor General of the Dutch East Indies. Precisely at a time when politics in the Netherlands was going on chaotic and full of intrigue and political dynamics.In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor, while his brother Louis became King of the Netherlands in 1808. Practically, the Netherlands was a vassal state of France.
Daendels, a former advocate from the city of Hatten, was seen as a suitable figure to protect the interests of the Dutch East Indies colony in the archipelago. Especially the threat of annexation of power and territory of the colonies from England.
So a man with a strong character, smart, hands and cold heart, named Daendels was sent. Daendels began to cut local influence and power. He cuts off all power under him.
Daendels controlled power within the Company itself as well as that of local kings and courts. Java is divided into 9 prefectures. To be easy to master.
Daendels succeeded in many ways. Yes politics, yes economics, yes the authority of the Dutch East Indies government in the archipelago.He got many advantages. He sold land to entrepreneurs.
In East Java, Daendels managed to raise 3.5 million guilders from selling land. While in Priangan, he reaped the benefits of the forced coffee cultivation system (cultuur stelsel).With money in hand, Daendels bought land in Buitenzorg (Bogor). He then built a mahligai there. Which is now known as the Bogor Palace. Then, the land and buildings were sold to his successor.
Daendels profited no less than 1 million guilders.However, Daendels’ “success” in building a colony, the Archipelago, was then reversed. Contrived by rumors, Daendels built his own empire in the archipelago. The famous transportation route Anyer-Panarukan was forced to build during Daendels’ time.
The Dutch government was consumed by the issue. The King of the Netherlands, Louis Napoleon, was consumed by the issue, which was deliberately inflated by political opponents and embittered former subordinates.So in 1810, Daendels was called back to Holland.
On November 22, 1810. Jan Willem Janssens was appointed by Emperor Napoleon to replace his position. End of history Daendels. He was killed by a silent conspiracy, which he did not see. Because it feels omnipotent.
That’s how the politics of “marginalized marginalized weaklings” work. Punish the iron fist even though he succeeded in building the Dutch East Indies empire in the archipelago.
Success alone can be a riding tool to overthrow arbitrary rulers. Especially failure.
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If you have read this narration without missing a word, you might say: The Dayaks are really smart people! They are now from zero to hero.
Panglima Jilah is a living example who is currently the most feared from a political perspective.
That’s literacy. It’s not just read and write, politics, and finance. Dayak people have been literate in many ways –same as you– European ethnic groups.
illustration source: indo.wiki
