Indonesia reclaims hundreds of cultural artifacts from Netherlands, including rare Ganesha idol

Indonesia has successfully reclaimed 828 cultural artifacts from the Netherlands, including a rare four-armed statue of the Hindu god Ganesha, marking a significant achievement in its effort to recover historical treasures looted during Dutch colonial rule. The Ganesha statue, carved from volcanic rock and taken from an Indonesian volcano in the mid-19th century, now stands proudly in Jakarta’s National Museum as a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.
Visitors to the museum have expressed pride and hope that the statue’s return will rekindle interest in the nation’s history. “We fully support it because it is part of preserving our culture,” said 23-year-old Devi Aristya Nurhidayanti, standing before the Ganesha idol. “Nowadays, not many people are aware of the history. Hopefully, through efforts like this, more people will learn that this is part of our heritage.”
The Ganesha statue is one of hundreds of artifacts returned to date by the Netherlands. Other significant items include three Hindu-Buddhist sculptures from a 13th-century temple near Mount Semeru. According to archaeologist Dwi Cahyono, these statues hold symbolic value. “This standing position symbolizes vigilance against danger,” he explained, adding that the repatriation represents a “spiritual effort to calm the wrath of disasters in Indonesia,” a country prone to seismic activity.

The repatriation is part of a broader global movement to return cultural artifacts to formerly colonized nations. The Dutch government pledged to return stolen artifacts following a 2020 recommendation by an advisory committee. Strong diplomatic ties between Indonesia and the Netherlands, supported by a 2017 cultural agreement, facilitated negotiations for the return of these items.
For I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, head of the Indonesian Collection Repatriation Team in the Netherlands, the return of the Ganesha idol and other artifacts sends a powerful message. “The significance of this is to demonstrate to the international community that Indonesia is capable of having these objects returned. This counters skeptics who claim Indonesia lacks the capacity to preserve such valuable heritage.”

While the return of these artifacts is a milestone, thousands of Indonesian cultural treasures remain abroad. Continued research and negotiation are essential to recover them. “I still look forward to the return of more assets, and this remains a priority, as these objects are crucial to strengthening our cultural heritage,” Dwi said.
For many Indonesians, the repatriation of the Ganesha idol and other items holds deep personal meaning. “When I was a child, I loved visiting the temple compounds. But unfortunately, the temples were often empty,” shared Catur Puji Harsono, who visited the museum with his children. The statue’s presence now offers a tangible connection to Indonesia’s rich cultural history, inspiring renewed efforts to preserve and celebrate its heritage for future generations.