A note from a Wandanesse on Marjolein Van Pagee’s piece, the Banda Genocide
people of Banda circa 1540, as depicted in Codex Casanatense
Let me introduce myself, I'm from Banda, Moluccas.
Oh, Banda Neira, the spice islands?
yes and no...
what do you mean?
My village’s name is Banda Eli,
in the Kei Islands.
So, not Banda Neira?
(our origin is) Banda, but in Kei.
what does that even mean?
Whenever a Wandanesse steps forward, introducing himself/herself as a native of the Banda Islands, this conversation often unfolds. Questions arise, and sometimes a puzzled frown accompanies the mention of the term “Wandan.” The reason is simple: the public does not acquainted with the word “Wandan.” They lack the knowledge to understand why we proudly call ourselves the Wandanesse—the true Banda natives. Few realize that Banda beats within our hearts as Wandan.
Declaring oneself as a Wandanesse is, therefore, no simple task. The Nutmeg Wars of the early 17th century had obscured Wandanesse from the Banda’s history. The VOC’s brutal actions systematically stripped off Wandanesse from their spatial identity as inhabitants of Banda. Thousands were killed, exiled and displaced across the archipelago. The VOC’s genocide casts Banda into the limbo, a space where Wandan and Wandanesse narratives vanished into insignificance.
Accordingly, every time a Wandanesse introduce oneself as the native of Banda archipelago, he/she should explain himself/herself at greater length than one should normally do. Each of us should delve into the tangled web of history, geopolitics, and colonial greed to elucidate why our ancestors were expelled from Banda.
All Wandanesse should deal with the long episodic migration -under constant threat of VOC, that shreds our memory and identity into pieces. Tracing back our steps through these intricate webs of memories often wears us off, sends us emotionally overwhelmed.
This is one of the reasons why I’ve been hesitant to introduce myself as a Wandanesse. Before this, I never refuse any generic reference given by colleagues on my identity. I was referred as a Moluccan, an Ambonesse, a Keinesse, and or simply Bandanesse. This wasn't entirely wrong, but it wasn’t entirely right either.
Today, I pledge to boldly proclaim my identity and origin. No longer will I hesitate to speak about Wandan. From now on, I will introduce myself as a Wandanesse. Marjolein’s book, “The Banda Genocide,” has profoundly shifted my perspective. It led me back to the shores of Neira, where I rediscovered Wandan in the ocean narratives of Banda.