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"Indo"' also has other meanings − see Indo disambiguation page

Indo, Indo-European or Eurasian is a term used to describe people of mixed European and Indonesian ancestry, in particular, people of Dutch and Indonesian ancestry. Indos descend from inhabitants of the Dutch East Indies, and as a result are primarily found in The Netherlands and Indonesia, but also in the United States.

Historical overview. Information

Pre-colonial history (16th, 17th and 18th century).

Portuguese and Spanish presence in South East Asia (16th century).

The earliest significant presence of Europeans in South East Asia was made out of Portuguese and Spanish traders. Portuguese explorers discovered two trade routes to Asia, sailing around the south of Africa, as well as sailing around the south of America creating a commercial monopoly. In the early 16th century the Portuguese established important trade posts in South East Asia, which was a diverse collection of many rivalling kingdoms, sultanates and tribes spread over a huge territory of peninsulas and islands. One of the main Portuguese strongholds was located in the so called Spice Islands i.e. the Mollucas. Similarly the Spanish established a dominant presence further up north in the Philippines. These historical developments helped build a foundation for large Eurasian communities in this region. Old Eurasian families in the Philippines mainly descend from the Spanish. While the oldest Indo families descend from Portuguese traders and explorers. Family names of old Indo families include Simao and De Fretes.

^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

Dutch and English presence in South East Asia (17th and 18th century).

When the supremacy of the Portuguese and Spanish global empires slowly declined at the break of the 17th century, the Dutch and English maritime merchants started establishing an equally comprehensive global network of trade posts. In 1602 the Dutch founded the first ever joint stock multinational, called the United East India Company (Dutch: Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC). The VOC’s main aim was to generate profit from international trade with South East Asia, also known at the time as the East Indies. The VOC established a dominant European presence in for example the island of Java, as well as many islands north and east of Java. Their English counterparts did the same west of Java e.g. Singapore and Malaysia. Also in this new wave of Europeans many settlers intermixed with local inhabitants and added to the creation of an Indo society. Family names include: Du Perron and Fransz.

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Colonial history (19th and 20th century).

Dutch East Indies.

After the bankruptcy of the privately owned VOC at the end of the 18th century the Dutch state took over its debts, as well as its possessions. The small kingdom of the Netherlands commenced with replacing the strong VOC presence in the East Indies and established colonial dominance from the island Sumatra bordering the Malaysian peninsular in the west, the island Celebes (now called Sulawesi) bordering the Philippines in the north, to New Guinea (now called Irian Jaya) bordering the continent of Australia in the South-East. In around 150 years this evolved into the undisputed colony called the Dutch East Indies (Dutch: Nederlands-Indie). The creation of this governmental and administrative entity became the foundation of the independent state of Indonesia in the middle of the 20th century. In this period a large Indo community developed that was recognized by Dutch law as Europeans. Family names include: Schwartzman and Meijs.

The make up of this community was comparable to the Creole and Mestizo communities of Latin America. In Latin America the independence movement was led by these communities when they became disgruntled with the European colonial powers. Also in the Philippines independence movements were led by Eurasian Mestizos. In the Dutch East Indies only a small Indo minority led by Ernest Douwes Dekker was politically active to voice the idea of independence from the mother country. While the Latin American colonies led by Bolivar broke free from European rule in the 19th century, the Indonesian archipelago became independent only after WW2. Although Indo individuals in the Netherlands were active in the resistance movement fighting Nazi occupation, few Indos in the Dutch East Indies actively supported the struggle for Indonesian independence.

^{[10] [11] [12] [13] [14]}

Japanese occupation.

During WW2 the European colonies in South East Asia were annexed by the Japanese Empire. After the Japanese army defeated the British armed forces in the Malaysian peninsular, they invaded the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch colonial army (Dutch: Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger, KNIL) was unequipped to stop the modern Japanese war machine. Japans early victories destroyed the myth of European superiority and initially the Asian peoples welcomed the new occupying power until it became apparent that Dutch colonial rule was only replaced by Japanese colonial rule. The Japanese occupying powers soon started to eradicate anything reminiscent of European government. All Europeans were put in Japanese concentration camps. First the POW’s, then all male adults and finally all females and adolescents were interned. The Japanese failed in their attempts to win over the Indo community and Indos were made subject to the same forceful measures. ^[15]

During the Japanese occupation leaders of the Indonesian independence movement cooperated with the Japanese to realise an independent nation. Only after Japans defeat by the Allied forces these leaders were able to declare the Republic of Indonesia. The majority of the Indo community was either captive or in hiding and remained oblivious to these developments. The Indo community at large did not participate in the Indonesian independence movement. The main revolutionary leader Sukarno was declared the first president of the Republic in 1956. But to the Dutch government he was a collaborator and could not be accepted as an official counterpart. The legitimacy of the Republic and its president remained disputed up to 1949 when the Netherlands finally recognised Indonesia’s independence.

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Post colonial history (1945−1965).

Indonesian Independence.

At the end of WW2 Europe’s colonial presence around the world quickly declined. The United Kingdom lost most possessions in South East Asia. But were able to maintain a so called Commonwealth with at the head the British sovereign. The Dutch stubbornly tried to hold on to its colonial possessions in South East Asia and fought two wars over it, which they called Police Actions (Dutch: Politionele acties). However lost its’ political battle to the newly founded Republic of Indonesia. In the end the Dutch were completely ousted from the archipelago. Although native to the country the Indo community was intertwined with Dutch rule and their intermediary role between colonial government and the majority local society became obsolete. After 400 years the Indo community in Indonesia dissolved. The founding of the Republic of Indonesia directly resulted in the Indo Diaspora.

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Indo Diaspora.

During and after the Indonesian War of Independence, which followed the Second World War, (1945−1965) around 300.000 people, pre-dominantly Indos, left Indonesia to go to the Netherlands. This migration was called repatriation. The majority of this group had never set foot in the Netherlands before. The migration pattern of the so called Repatriation progressed in five distinct waves.

• The first wave, 1945−1950: After Japans’ capitulation around 100.000 people, many former captives that spent the war years in Japanese concentration camps, left for the Netherlands.
• The second wave, 1950−1957: After Indonesia’s declaration of independence many civil servants, law enforcement and defence personnel left for the Netherlands. The colonial army was disbanded and at least 4000 of the Moluccan price soldiers and their families were also relocated to the Netherlands. The exact number of people that left Indonesia during the second wave is unknown.
• The third wave, 1957−1958: During the political conflict around the so called ‘New-Guinea Issue’ Dutch citizens were declared undesired elements by the young Republic of Indonesia and around 20.000 more people left for the Netherlands.
• The fourth wave, 1962: When finally the last Dutch ruled territory i.e. New Guinea, was released to the Republic of Indonesia. Also the last remaining Dutch citizens left for the Netherlands, including around 500 Papua civil servants and their families. The total number of people that migrated is estimated at 14.000.
• The fifth wave, 1957−1964: During this period a distinctive group of people that originally opted for Indonesian citizenship found that they were unable to integrate into Indonesian society and also left for the Netherlands. Exact numbers are unknown.

Many Indos that had left for the Netherlands often continued the journey of their Diaspora to warmer places in the West like for instance California. Exact numbers relating to Indo immigrants in other major immigration countries like the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia are less well documented. Although the Eurasian communities of Malaysia, in particular Singapore are flourishing. ^[22] In Indonesia the presence of Indos appears to have become marginal.

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Contemporary history (20th and 21st century).

Indos in the United States of America

During the 50’s and 60’s an estimated 60.000 Indos arrived in the USA were they have smoothly integrated into mainstream American society. A small majority settled in Southern California. Although several Indo clubs ^[25] have existed throughout the second half of the 20th century, the communities elders are passing away steadily. Some experts expect that within the lifespan of the 2nd and 3rd generation the community will be assimilated and disappear completely into American multi-cultural society. ^[26]

Indos in the Netherlands.

In 1990 the Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) registered the number of first generation Indos living in the Netherlands at around 180.000 people. However the second and third generation were estimated around half a million. In both instances they make up the largest minority community in the Netherlands.

Next to their culinary culture, Indo influence in Dutch society is mostly reflected in the arts, i.e. music ^{[27] [28]} and literature. The biggest manifestation of Indo culture in the world is the Pasar Malam Besar ^[29] event, (literally ‘Great Pasar Malam’) which is organized in the Netherlands every year. [[File:.]]

In the 1990s and early 21st century the Netherlands were confronted with much ethnic tension in their now multi-cultural society. (In 2006 statistics show that in Rotterdam, Holland’s second largest city, over 40% of the inhabitants were of foreign descend.) These tensions rose with the murders of politician Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and film director Theo van Gogh in 2004. Still according to public opinion the Indo community is considered the best integrated ethnic and cultural minority in the Netherlands. ^[30]

Indo culture by definition is a mix of various European and Indonesian elements. The dominant language spoken by the majority remains Dutch. Indos were never formally educated in the Indonesian language. But many were fluent in the lingua lranca Malay. The mix language known as Petjok ^[31] (Dutch/Malay), which is comparable to Patois (French/African), is slowly dieing out completely.

Indo culture in the Netherlands has undergone another revival as 3rd and 4th generation Indos are reaching out to each other and their Indonesian heritage. ^{[32] [33]}

An undetermined future.

The Indos are a people of mixed Indonesian and European ancestry that developed over a period of more then 400 years. Although all family names are uniformally European, their ethnic composition varies from diverse European peoples like for instance the Portuguese, Dutch, Belgian, French and German and equally diverse Indonesian peoples like for instance Javanese, Ambonese, Manadonese and Sumatran. The variety in their ethnic composition and diverse spread over the globe makes it difficult to define a uniform Indo culture let alone predict its future.

The older an Indo family is, the harder it becomes to pinpoint an actual percentage of either pure European or Indonesian blood. In most cases this is practically impossible to determine. Which makes the question in fact irrelevant. As Indo culture evolves, steered by the path of the Indo Diaspora, each new generation of Indos keeps integrating more and more into their new homelands. Basically the issue of an Indo identity is increasingly becoming a matter of personal choice and not a given into which an individual is born.

The new generations will determine if their legacy will become more then a historical footnote.

Famous Indos

The Netherlands

Music

• Margie Ball, singer
• Patty Brard, singer
• Glenn Corneille, musician
• Dewi, singer, Dutch Idols
• Wieteke van Dort singer
• George de Fretes, musician
• Anneke Grönloh, singer
• Jago, singer, songwriter Bahaya
• Jamai, singer, Dutch Idols
• Ernst Jansz, musician Doe Maar
• Monique Klemann, singer Lois Lane
• Suzanne Klemann, singer Lois Lane
• Dennis van Leeuwen, musician Kane
• Roog, dj
• Sandra Reemer, singer
• Andy Tielman, Tielman Brothers
• Dinand Woesthoff, singer Kane
• Riem de Wolf, singer Blue Diamonds
• Ruud de Wolf, singer Blue Diamonds
• Quinten de Rozario, dj

Fine Art

• Nico Diemel, artist
• [ [1]

Literature

• Alfred Birney, writer
• Marion Bloem, writer
• Ralph Boekholt, writer
• Dé-Lilah, writer
• Peter van Dongen, writer, illustrator
• Basha Faber, writer
• Cornets de Groot, writer
• Paula Gomes, writer
• Theodor Holman, writer
• Victor Ido, writer
• Bouke B Jagt, writer
• J.E. Jasper, writer
• Yvonne Keuls, writer
• Nicolette Smabers, writer
• Jill Stolk, writer
• Justine Swaving, writer
• Griselda Molemans, writer
• Rob Nieuwenhuys, writer
• Eduard du Perron, writer
• Glenn Pennock, writer
• Robin Raven, writer
• Tjalie Robinson, writer, Indo intelectual and activist
• Anneloes Timmerije, writer
• Sabina de Rozario, writer
• Wim Walraven jr., writer

Sports

• Lotte Bruil-Jonathans, badminton player
• Carel Faulhaber co-founder Shaolin Kempo in the Netherlands
• John Heitinga soccer player
• Jelle Klaasen, dart player
• Gerard Meijers co-founder Shaolin Kempo in the Netherlands
• Judith Meulendijks, badminton player
• Ferry Sonneville, badminton player
• Robin van Persie, soccer player

Miscellaneous

• Carel Birnie, co-founder Dutch Dance theatre
• Renee Bounin, international model
• Ernest Douwes Dekker, Politician and Indo Activist
• Frederik Hermanus de Hoog (1881−1939), politician
• Marianne Kastner, warhero
• Nada van Nie, presenter, actor
• Ghislaine Pirie, actor
• Lindsay Pronk, Miss Nederland 2004
• Emile Ratelband
• Karina Schaapman, politician
• Winnie Sorgdrager, politician
• Frans Hendrik Karel Zaalberg (1873−1928), journalist

USA

All

• Mark-Paul Gosselaar, actor
• Laura Gemser, actress
• Michelle Branch, singer
• Van Halen brothers, musicians
• Walter Erich Bernhard von Stockhausen, broadcasting engineer

Canada

All

• Kristin Kreuk, actor

See also

• Eurasian (mixed ancestry) – the overall ethnic group
• Filipino mestizo − related ethnic group from the Philippines
• Kristang people − related ethnic group from Macau
• Eurasian Singaporean − related ethnic group from Singapore
• Burgher people − related ethnic group from Sri Lanka
• Anglo-Burmese − related ethnic group from Myanmar

References

Bibliography

• Palmer and Colton 'A History of the Modern World'. (McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1992) ISBN: 0-07-557417-9
• Ricklefs, M. C. ‘A History of Modern Indonesia Since c. 1200’ (Stanford University Press, 2001)
• Taylor, Jean Gelman ‘The Social World of Batavia: European and Eurasian in Dutch Asia’ (Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 1983). ISBN: 9780300097092
• Taylor, Jean Gelman, ‘Indonesia: Peoples and Histories’ (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003). ISBN: 0300097093
• Krancher, Jan A. ‘The Defining Years of the Dutch East Indies, 1942−1949’ (McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers) ISBN: 800-253-2187

External links

• History of Indonesia
• Indo-Dutch Informationpoint
• Indo immigration as colonial inheritance: post colonial immigrants in the Netherlands, 1945−2002
• A demographic history of the Indo-Dutch population, 1930-2001

Notes

NEW DRAFT ARTICLE Information

The ‘Pasar Malam Besar’ is the biggest Eurasian event in the world. It is annually held in The Netherlands, and functions as the most important platform of Indo culture. Established in 1959 it is one of the oldest festivals and the fourth largest grand fair in The Netherlands. It is also the annual event with the highest number of paying visitors of the Dutch city of The Hague. Since 1993 it consistently welcomes more than 100,000 visitors. The name ‘ Pasar Malam Besar’ is derived from the Indonesian and Malay language and literally means ‘Large Evening Market’.

Every summer the ‘Pasar Malam Besar’ is raised on its dedicated fairground, called the ‘Malieveld’, close to the central train station of The Hague. 22.000 sqm of festival terrain and many, mostly Indo, volunteers will facilitate visitors from both the Netherlands and abroad. The festival hosts three popular food courts, a culinary theatre, many large to medium stages for performance art, workshop areas, areas for lecture and interviews, market areas, as well as specific fair areas for trading merchandise.

Mission

The main mission of this unique Eurasian event is to celebrate, preserve and develop Indo culture at large and herewith serves the historical purpose of major festivals anywhere. In meeting its specific social needs and duties, as well as providing entertainment, it offers the Indo community a sense of belonging and unity. In its capacity of cultural platform and forum it informs community members of their roots and traditions, transferring knowledge and skills to next generations.

History

In defiance of government pressure to assimilate into Dutch society, a group of outspoken and independent Indos, organized in the so called ‘Indies Cultural Circle’, assembled around famous Indo intellectual Tjalie Robinson. One of their accomplishments was the founding of the ‘Pasar Malam Besar’ in 1959. Its continued success in attracting visitors of all generations and presenting a diverse and progressive programme, while preserving the centuries old cultural ties with the Indonesian Archipelago has become beyond their expectations. In 2003 HRH Queen Beatrix herself officially opened the 45th ‘Pasar Malam Besar’.

Programme

Music and dance

Two specific forms of Indo music usually take center stage. Kroncong (Dutch: Krontjong) which is an age old music form, with roots in Portuguese Fado music, that developed in Indo communities around Batavia (Now Jakarta). Classic Kroncong orchestras can still be found in both The Netherlands and Indonesia. The other typical music form is called Indorock. It combines flamboyant showmanship and musical virtuoso, based on the American Rock and Roll idiom and is being played by Indo bands since the early fifties. With the participation of 3th and 4th generation Indos, also DJ’s, Hiphoppers and urban live bands are taking their brand of Indo music to the stage at the ‘Pasar Malam Besar’.

Food and drinks

The multi faceted Indo cuisine (Dutch: Indische keuken) is considered one of the first fusion kitchens in the world and is heavily based on the kitchens of many different Indonesian areas. The classic ‘Ricetable’ (Dutch: Rijsttafel) is a prime example of a Eurasian culinary concept that wasn’t prevalent in pre-colonial Indonesia. The food courts present a wide range of traditional Indonesian and Asian dishes. The culinary theatre allows visitors to share and discuss recipes and make and taste dishes. The market stalls sell fresh Asian fruit such as Durian or Manggis and snacks such as Martabak or Pisang Goreng. The abundance of food on offer attracts many visitors.

Merchandise and culture

A large section of the ‘Pasar Malam Besar’ is reserved for amongst others Indonesian businesses selling their merchandise which includes antiques, Yogya or Bali silver, furniture, batiks, wood carvings and much more. But next to the above mentioned eye catchers the ‘Pasar Malam Besar’ also offers workshops and master classes in the arts and lecture on amongst others literature, architecture and cultural research. Notable also are the comprehensive cultural delegations from specific areas in Indonesia that are invited to participate.

References

Official Webiste

NEW Information

Contemporary history (20th and 21st century).

Indos in the United States of America.

During the 50’s and 60’s an estimated 60.000 Indos arrived in the USA were they have smoothly integrated into mainstream American society. American Indos are sometimes also referred to as Dutch-Indonesians, Indonesian-Dutch, Indo-Europeans and Amerindos. They are a relatively small Eurasian refugee-immigrant group in the United States of America, as this Dutch Indo Nico Diemel nicoindo.

Reasons for immigration to the U.S.A.

The majority of the 60.000 U.S. Indos repatriated to the Netherlands before they immigrated to the U.S.A. in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These Indos felt Dutch society in the 50's was not prepared for the unexpected postwar influx of hundreds of thousands Eurasians from the former Dutch East Indies colony, competing for housing and employment. They did not experience a warm welcome to the Dutch mother country and felt their war and post-war trials and tribulations were not sufficiently acknowledged by the Dutch.

Although familiar with the distinction between European and native Indonesian, the Dutch appeared not to be familiar with the existence of an in-between, Eurasian category of people. Even though Indos represent a kaleidoscope of color, ranging from those with blond hair and blue eyes to those with dark skin and black eyes and anything in between, their objection to being referred to by terms denoting skin color and the lack of recognition of the European status they held dearly in the former colony, led to their migration to the U.S.A.

Registration and location in the U.S.A.

The Indos entered the U.S.A. under legislative refugee measures and were mainly sponsored by Christian organizations such as the Church World Service and the Catholic Relief Services. An accurate count of Indo immigrants is not available, as the U.S. Census classified people according to their self-determined ethnic affiliation. The Indos could have therefore been included in overlapping categories of "country of origin”, “other Asians," "total foreign”, “mixed parentage”, "total foreign-born” and “foreign mother tongue".

Indos can be found in all fifty states, with a majority in southern California. The formation of Indo enclaves was prevented because of various factors. Indos settled initially with their sponsors or in locations offered to them by the sponsor. Indos also had a wide variety of occupations and in this respect were not limited to certain geographic areas. There were no forces in the host society limiting the choice of location. Moreover there was a full choice as to where to settle, with the economic factor of family income as only limitation.

Developments in the U.S.A.

Unlike in the Netherlands U.S. Indos do not increase numerically. This is due to their relative small numbers and geographical dispersion. Also the disappearance of a proverbial "old country" able to supply a continual influx of new immigrants stimulates the rapid assimilation of U.S. Indos into the U.S.A. Although several Indo clubs ^[1] have existed throughout the second half of the 20th century, the community's elders are passing away steadily. Some experts expect that within the lifespan of the 2nd and 3rd generation the community will be assimilated and disappear completely into American multi-cultural society. ^[2]

Indos in Indonesia.

Notwithstanding most research has focused on the Indos in Diaspora and it has been established that the majority of Indos that were legally recognized as Europeans in the Dutch East Indies, migrated from Indonesia, a significant Eurasian group can still be found there. Most Indo families in Diaspora have relatives in Indonesia. Even when taking into account the popular definition of the term Indo used in contemporary Indonesia, the background of the majority of Indos in Indonesia can be traced back to the colonial era.

"...the place that the Indos ...occupy in our colonial society has been altered. In spite of everything, the Indos are gradually becoming Indonesians, or one could say that the Indonesians are gradually coming to the level of the Indos. The evolution of the deeply ingrained process of transformation in our society first established the Indos in a privileged position, and now that same process is withdrawing those privileges. Even if they retain their 'European" status before the law, they will still be on a level with the Indonesians, because there are and will continue to be many more educated Indonesians than Indos. Their privileged position thus is losing its social foundation, and as a result that position itself will also disappear.” Sutan Sjahrir, 1937 ^[3]

Indo descendents from the colonial era.

During colonial times Indos were not always formally recognized and registered as Europeans. A considerable number of Indos integrated into their respective local indigenous societies and have never been officially registered as either European or Eurasian sub-group. Exact numbers are unknown. But a group of around 12.000 has been identified by the Indo community in Diaspora and consequently receives support from their overseas Indo beneficiaries.

Another group of Indos, that did enjoy European status in colonial times, willingly opted for Indonesian citizenship. Although most of them did not endure the hardships of the early post colonial years and eventually repatriated to the Netherlands. Notable exceptions are Ibu Nos Fransz and Ernest Douwes Dekker. Most European family names have been changed to Indonesian sounding names.

As Indo women outnumbered the men a third considerable group consists of the Indo women married to mostly Christian Indonesians. By default this sizeable group became Indonesian citizens. A notable example is Nelly van Amden married to the Indonesian war hero Alexander Evert Kawilarang.

Indos in Indonesian media.

The presence of Indos in Indonesian media is abundant. More than 50% of the many Indonesian sitcom celebrities have European blood, which can be verified at their websites. Most popular Indonesian bands have at least a few Indo band members. Also the marketing and advertisement industry often uses Indo models and actors to promote products.

At times this dominant position of Indos in Indonesian media fuels national debate. For instance in 2005 when the show Joe Millionaire Indonesia was aired, where dozens of women fought over the Indo Marlon or when the FMH issue with Indo playmate Petra Verkaik was released in Jakarta and sold out in record time.

Indos in the Indonesian Film industry.

Indo actors are popular with both audiences and movie producers and directors alike. While in the past Indo actors were usually chosen to play upper class roles, they now cover the whole array of acting roles. Established and respected directors such as Nia Dinata, Mira Lesmana and Riri Riza have mainly chosen Indo actors for lead roles in their movies.

Even for the 2005 biographical movie Gie, which tells the tale of the Chinese student Soe Hok Gie who challenged the power of Sukarno, the Indo actor Nicholas Saputra was selected. In 2004 the Indonesian Ministry for Culture and Tourism initiated a contest for the best film script. The award winning script was about an Indo girl named Anne.

Indos in modern Indonesian society.

Outside of the media spotlight Indo communities in Indonesia are clustered around big cities such as Jakarta, Bogor, Bandung and Malang ^[4]. In Malang the Indo upper class is clustered in particular neighbourhoods and Sunday ceremony in the Sion Church is still in Dutch. In Bandung over 2000 poor Indos are supported by overseas organisations such as Halin ^[5] and the Alan Neys Memorial Fund ^[6].

Like the Chinese minority in Indonesia also most Indos have changed their family names to blend into mainstream society and prevent discrimination. The latest trend among Indo-Chinese and Indo-Europeans is to change them back.

^[7]

Indos in the Netherlands.

In 1990 the Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) registered the number of first generation Indos living in the Netherlands at around 180.000 people. However the second and third generation were estimated around half a million. In both instances they make up the largest minority community in the Netherlands.

Integration of Indos in the Netherlands

In the 1990s and early 21st century the Netherlands were confronted with much ethnic tension in their now multi-cultural society. (In 2006 statistics show that in Rotterdam, Holland’s second largest city, over 40% of the inhabitants were of foreign descent.) These tensions rose with the murders of politician Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and film director Theo van Gogh in 2004. Still according to public opinion the Indo community is considered the best integrated ethnic and cultural minority in the Netherlands. Statistical data compiled by the CBS shows that Indos belong to the group with the lowest crime rates in the Netherlands. ^[8]

A CBS study of 1999 shows that of all foreign born citizens and their children living in the Netherlands, only the Indos have an average income similar to that of native born citizens. Also their job participation in government, education and health care is equal to that of native born Dutch citizens. Another recent CBS study among foreign citizens and their children living in the Netherlands in 2005, shows that in average, Indos have the highest number of independent entrepreneurs. Although Indos, being born overseas, are officially registered as Dutch citizens of foreign decent, their Eurasian background puts them in the Western sub-class in stead of the Asian sub-class.

Indo culture in the Netherlands

Next to their culinary culture, Indo influence in Dutch society is mostly reflected in the arts, i.e. music ^{[9] [10]} and literature. The biggest manifestation of Indo culture in the world is the Pasar Malam Besar ^[11] event, (literally ‘Great Pasar Malam’) which is organized in the Netherlands every year. The main musical formats Indos introduced to Europe are Kroncong and Indorock ^[12]. Indo culture by definition is a mix of various European and Indonesian elements. The dominant language spoken by the majority remains Dutch. Indos were never formally educated in the Indonesian language. But many were fluent in the Lingua Franca Malay. The mix language known as Petjok ^[13] (a Dutch/Malay creole, comparable to French/African Patois) is slowly dying out completely.

Indo culture in the Netherlands has undergone another revival as 3rd and 4th generation Indos are reaching out to each other and their Indonesian heritage. ^{[14] [15]}

An undetermined future.

The Indos are a people of mixed Indonesian and European ancestry that developed over a period of more than 400 years. Although all family names are uniformally European, their ethnic composition varies from diverse European peoples like for instance the Portuguese, Dutch, Belgian, French and German and equally diverse Indonesian peoples like for instance Javanese, Ambonese, Manadonese and Sumatran. The variety in their ethnic composition and the fact that they are spread out all over the globe makes it difficult to define a uniform Indo culture let alone predict its future.

The older an Indo family is, the harder it becomes to pinpoint an actual percentage of either pure European or Indonesian blood. In most cases this is practically impossible to determine. Which makes the question in fact irrelevant. As Indo culture evolves, steered by the path of the Indo Diaspora, each new generation of Indos keeps integrating more and more into their new homelands. Basically the issue of an Indo identity is increasingly becoming a matter of personal choice and not a given into which an individual is born.

The new generations will determine if their legacy will become more than a historical footnote.