Kapper in Batavia 1945 - 1946

This photograph, taken by Anefo, shows a street barber at work in Batavia. The image encapsulates several important aspects of the colonial history of Indonesia. Batavia, now Jakarta, was the center of the Dutch East Indies, and this scene likely depicts a local barber providing a service to a Dutch soldier or official. Consider the power dynamics at play here: a European man, likely part of the colonial administration or military, is being attended to by a local Indonesian. This simple act of a haircut becomes loaded with implications of colonial hierarchy and the everyday realities of occupation. The barber's presence is a reminder of the indigenous population's role in supporting the colonial infrastructure. The setting is outdoors: the temporary nature of this barber shop underscores the broader disruptions caused by colonialism. To fully understand this photograph, we need to delve into the archives, examining colonial records, personal accounts, and other visual materials. Only then can we grasp the full social and institutional context that shaped this seemingly simple scene.