Recent Dutch-Language Publications

Bijdragen tot de taal- land- en volkenkunde / Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of Southeast Asia, vol. 178, pp. 545–550

Abstract

In 1619, voc Governor-General Jan Pietersz Coen founded Batavia, which was intended to become the center of all voc activities in Asia.Batavia succeeded in maintaining itself in armed combat with indigenous rulers and European competitors.In 1627, the town had firmly established its position.In that year, a detailed map was drawn of Batavia (format 172 × 316 cm), which still survives as part of the collection of the Westfries Museum in Hoorn.Bea Brommer, wellknown for her studies on the cartography of the voc, has taken the map as a starting point for a description of the daily culture of Batavia.Together with information from published sources and archival material, a comprehensive picture is evoked in 21 chapters.Thus, voc trade, the city's executives, church, and school, and the status of Dutch citizens, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesians, mixed-blood citizens, and slaves all receive attention.Eight chapters have the life story of a particular citizen as their subject, with surprising information.Dozens of maps are included, as well as a walking tour guide of Batavia.A rare catalogue of a public auction in 1626 covers 14 pages (in Old Dutch).The book (30×30cm) is beautifully formatted, and Brommer adds her scholarly expertise to make it an exemplary publication.A bibliography, 494 notes, an index, and a list of all Dutch citizens residing in Batavia in 1623 complete the book.

Authors 1

1. Harry A. Poeze corresponding Aachen KITLV/Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies The Netherlands Leiden

   Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies

   Affiliation as printed

   KITLV/Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies The Netherlands Leiden