A BOY FROM BANDA
Des Alwi Abubakar was born in the village of Nusantara, Banda Naira, on November 17, 1927. He was a historian, diplomat, entrepreneur, film director, and above all, a son of Banda. Des Alwi’s heritage symbolizes the multiculturalism of Banda. His grandfather, Said Tjong Baadilla (1856–1934), was of Arab and Chinese descent. Said Tjong Baadilla was known as the "Pearl King" of his time.
In 1936, Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir were exiled by the Dutch to Banda Naira. Hatta and Sjahrir later took Des Alwi to Java to continue his education and assist in the struggle for independence. His diplomatic skills earned him the nickname “master lobbyist.” He played a central role in resolving the Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation from 1965 to 1975. Moreover, Des Alwi was highly influential in representing the history of Indonesia’s independence struggle to the world—through diplomacy, research, books, and films.
Des Alwi’s success eventually brought him back home to Banda, where he revived traditional customs and culture, preserved nature and history, developed infrastructure, and advanced the tourism industry.
This archive introduces Des Alwi and his remarkable life, work, and legacy, as well as several historical items from his personal collection.
Note: The Rumah Budaya Banda collection combines objects and artefacts from a range of sources, many of which have been selected to represent historical change in Banda. They may not directly originate from the time periods associated with the archive. We are working to expand the collection and confirm historical data of individual objects. If you have additional information or inputs regarding any of the objects and artefacts in the collection, we invite you to join our open-source curatorial initiative using the input form at the bottom of this page and contribute to Rumah Budaya Banda’s ongoing revitalisation.
archive number: r-4-001 object reference: Portrait of Said Tjong Baadilla origin: Banda date: - notes: Des Alwi's Grandfather and renowned 'pearl king' of Banda, with a mixed Arabic-Chinese heritage epitomising the Banda Islands' cosmopolitan history
archive number: r-4-002 object reference: Said Tjong Baadilla & his Children origin: Banda date: - notes: Des Alwi's Grandfather and renowned 'pearl king' of Banda, with a mixed Arabic-Chinese heritage epitomising the Banda Islands' cosmopolitan history
archive number: r-4-003 object reference: Alwi Family Portrait origin: Banda date: - notes: Des Alwi and his mother, father, and relatives
archive number: r-4-004 object reference: Des Alwi, Mohammad Hatta, friends and children in Banda origin: Banda date: - notes: Des Alwi was taken in as Hatta's adopted child, beginning a journey that would take him to Jakarta and across the world
archive number: r-4-005 object reference: Des Alwi with Soekarno & foreign officials origin: Indonesia date: 1950s notes: Des Alwi became a diplomat close to the centre of Indonesia's revolutionary government and figures such as Indonesia's first president, Soekarno.
archive number: r-4-006 object reference: Des Alwi during the Malaysian 'Konfrontasi' origin: Indonesia date: 1963-1966 notes: Des Alwi became a diplomat close to the centre of Indonesia's government and was instrumental in ending the confrontation between Indonesia and its neighbour Malaysia
archive number: r-4-007 object reference: Des Alwi with his daughter Mira and President Gus Dur origin: Indonesia date: notes: Des Alwi became a diplomat close to the centre of Indonesia's government, with extensive political connections spanning decades. Gus Dur was the 4th president of Indonesia.
archive number: r-4-008 object reference: Des Alwi with SBY and his Wife origin: Indonesia date: notes: Des Alwi became a diplomat close to the centre of Indonesia's government, with extensive political connections spanning decades. SBY was the 6th president of Indonesia
archive number: r-4-009 object reference: Des Alwi with Megawati Soekarnoputri origin: Indonesia date: notes: Des Alwi became a diplomat close to the centre of Indonesia's government, with extensive political connections spanning decades. Megawati was the 8th president of Indonesia.
archive number: r-4-010 object reference: Des Alwi with Suharto origin: Indonesia date: notes: Des Alwi became a diplomat close to the centre of Indonesia's government, with extensive political connections spanning decades. Suharto was the 2nd president of Indonesia.
archive number: r-4-011 object reference: Des Alwi with Jacques Cousteau origin: Banda date: - notes: Des Alwi was instrumental in promoting Banda as a tourist destination, and brought many celebrated people to visit the islands to appreciate their natural and cultural heritage, including Jacques Cousteau
archive number: r-4-012 object reference: Des Alwi at "Kampung Adat Nusantara" origin: Banda date: - notes: Des Alwi played an important role in strengthening the Banda Islands' 'customary villages,' centres of local ritual and cultural life. He was honored as 'orlima besar' for his significant contributions to Bandanese culture.
archive number: r-4-013 object reference: Alwi Family Portrait origin: Banda date: - notes: Des Alwi with his children and grandchildren
archive number: r-4-014 object reference: Des Alwi portrait origin: Banda date: - notes: -
archive number: r-4-015 object reference: Young Des Alwi Portrait origin: Banda date: - notes: -
archive number: r-4-016 object reference: Agreement Between Said Tjong Baadilla & the Dutch Government origin: - date: - notes: -
archive number: r-4-017 object reference: Baadilla Family Silverware origin: - date: - notes: This silver cutlery belonged to the family of Said Tjong Baadilla, grandfather of Des Alwi, who was also known as the "Pearl King" for his success in the pearl trade from Maluku. This success also fostered close ties between Baadilla and the Dutch royal family, leading him to gift pearls to Queen Emma and Queen Wilhelmina, some of which are still found in the Dutch Royal crowns.
archive number: r-4-017 object reference: Baadilla Family Silverware origin: - date: - notes: This silver cutlery belonged to the family of Said Tjong Baadilla, grandfather of Des Alwi, who was also known as the "Pearl King" for his success in the pearl trade from Maluku. This success also fostered close ties between Baadilla and the Dutch royal family, leading him to gift pearls to Queen Emma and Queen Wilhelmina, some of which are still found in the Dutch Royal crowns.
archive number: r-4-017 object reference: Baadilla Family Silverware origin: - date: - notes: This silver cutlery belonged to the family of Said Tjong Baadilla, grandfather of Des Alwi, who was also known as the "Pearl King" for his success in the pearl trade from Maluku. This success also fostered close ties between Baadilla and the Dutch royal family, leading him to gift pearls to Queen Emma and Queen Wilhelmina, some of which are still found in the Dutch Royal crowns.
archive number: r-4-017 object reference: Baadilla Family Silverware origin: - date: - notes: This silver cutlery belonged to the family of Said Tjong Baadilla, grandfather of Des Alwi, who was also known as the "Pearl King" for his success in the pearl trade from Maluku. This success also fostered close ties between Baadilla and the Dutch royal family, leading him to gift pearls to Queen Emma and Queen Wilhelmina, some of which are still found in the Dutch Royal crowns.
archive number: r-4-018 object reference: Diving Mask origin: UK date: - notes: This mask was used by divers before the era of scuba technology, usually to search for pearls or retrieve sunken items.
archive number: r-4-018 object reference: Diving Mask origin: UK date: - notes: This mask was used by divers before the era of scuba technology, usually to search for pearls or retrieve sunken items.
archive number: r-4-018 object reference: Diving Mask origin: UK date: - notes: This mask was used by divers before the era of scuba technology, usually to search for pearls or retrieve sunken items.
archive number: r-4-018 object reference: Diving Mask origin: UK date: - notes: This mask was used by divers before the era of scuba technology, usually to search for pearls or retrieve sunken items.
archive number: r-4-018 object reference: Diving Mask origin: UK date: - notes: This mask was used by divers before the era of scuba technology, usually to search for pearls or retrieve sunken items.
archive number: r-4-019 object reference: Accordion from Des Alwi's Personal Collection origin: - date: - notes:
archive number: r-4-019 object reference: Accordion from Des Alwi's Personal Collection origin: - date: - notes:
archive number: r-4-019 object reference: Accordion from Des Alwi's Personal Collection origin: - date: - notes:
archive number: r-4-019 object reference: Accordion from Des Alwi's Personal Collection origin: - date: - notes:
