The Decolonization of Colonial Archives on Indigenous Political Resistance in the Maluku Islands

Aji Deni; Agusmawanda Agusmawanda; Sosiawaty Sosiawaty; Aswir Badjoda

doi:10.52046/jssh.v6i1.2783

Authors

Aji Deni Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara, Indonesia
Agusmawanda Agusmawanda Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara, Indonesia
Sosiawaty Sosiawaty Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara, Indonesia
Aswir Badjoda Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52046/jssh.v6i1.2783

Keywords:

Dekolonisasi Arsip, Maluku, Perlawanan Pribumi, Historiografi Dekolonial, Politik Memori

Abstract

Colonial archives on the Maluku Islands heavily feature Eurocentric biases that marginalize indigenous perspectives, thereby distorting the history of local resistance and heroism. This study examines how decolonial archival practices dismantle embedded colonial epistemologies and restore marginalized indigenous voices. Employing a systematic review of interdisciplinary literature, this research analyzes the integration of local oral histories, indigenous traditions, and cultural expressions with conventional colonial archival sources. The synthesis yields a nuanced, alternative narrative of Malukan resistance through three distinct dimensions, archiving hidden indigenous agency overlooked in colonial historiography; establishing participatory methodologies that engage local communities in historical knowledge production; and formulating institutional critiques against archives and museums acting as prolonged instruments of colonial power. Ultimately, decolonizing archives in Maluku drives restorative justice and serves as an essential framework for constructing a more inclusive, pluralistic, and equitable Indonesian historiography.

Author Biographies

Agusmawanda Agusmawanda, Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara

Program Studi Ilmu Politik, Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik, Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara, Kota Ternate, Indonesia

Sosiawaty Sosiawaty, Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara

Program Studi Ilmu Politik, Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik, Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara, Kota Ternate, Indonesia

Aswir Badjoda, Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara

Program Studi Ilmu Politik, Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik, Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara, Kota Ternate, Indonesia

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