Eiso en Gerda Bergsma poserend op het balkon van een woonhuis op Sumatra 1914 - 1926

This photograph captures Eiso and Gerda Bergsma posing on the balcony of a house in Sumatra; the photographer is unknown. This image offers a glimpse into the lives of Dutch colonizers in Sumatra, likely taken during the late 19th or early 20th century. The photograph presents a seemingly ordinary domestic scene, yet it is laden with the complexities of colonial history. The architecture of the house blends European styles with local materials, reflecting the fusion of cultures characteristic of colonial settlements. Eiso and Gerda, with their Western attire and poised demeanor, embody the image of the colonizer, and stand in stark contrast to the indigenous populations and their ways of life. What does it mean to build a home on land that is not yours? To what extent can the inhabitants ignore the political, social, and cultural realities of colonialism? This photograph invites us to consider the personal narratives intertwined with broader historical and social contexts. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human dimensions of colonialism, urging us to reflect on its legacies and implications.