Returning to the Metropole: The Indonesian National Archives and its changing role at the start of the New Order
Abstract
To see hozv archivists themselves can play a role in the history of their country, and how post-colonial nations can use colonially-produced records in asserting their national identity, this paper looks at the Arsip Nasional (National Archive) of Indonesia, itself a remnant of the Dutch colonial past. Through the detailed study of one letter written by the Indonesian National Archivist shortly after the regime change that brought Suharto to power it is possible to see the change in the archival relationship between former coloniser and colonised. By reversing the strong anti-Dutch policies of the previous government Indonesia was able to engage in a high level of archival cooperation with the Netherlands and successfully reverse the colonial power of archives.
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