BANDA TODAY AND TOMORROW
The history of Banda will always remain relevant to any discussion of these islands. However, Banda is not only about the past. It’s important to hear the stories and understand Banda not just through its ancestors, but also through the people who live there today.
When we talk about Banda today, we are referring to the communities of Kampung Adat: Namasawar, Lontor, Ratu (Dwiwarna), Fiat, Selamon, Waer, Pulau Ai, and Pulau Hatta. We also include Banda Eli, a village in the Kei Islands where many Bandanese people settled after fleeing during colonial times, and all descendants of Banda wherever they may be. Equally important is exploring narratives of Banda today, through the art and creativity of the islands’ younger generation.
This archive is dedicated to the contemporary narratives of Banda, inviting us to explore Banda up close, and to imagine its future.
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-6-001 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat Ratu Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat Ratu
archive number: r-6-001 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat Ratu Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat Ratu
archive number: r-6-001 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat Ratu Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat Ratu
archive number: r-6-001 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat Ratu Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat Ratu
archive number: r-6-001 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat Ratu Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat Ratu
archive number: r-6-001 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat Ratu Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat Ratu
archive number: r-6-002 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-002 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-003 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-004 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-004 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-004 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-005 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-005 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-006 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-006 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-006 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-006 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-007 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-007 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-008 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-008 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-008 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-008 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-009 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-009 object reference: Belang Kampung Adat ____ Model origin: Banda date: notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. This model represents the Belang of Kampung Adat ____
archive number: r-6-010 object reference: Belang Rowing Photo origin: Banda date: - notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically.
archive number: r-6-011 object reference: Belang Rowing Photo on Wood origin: Banda date: - notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. artist: -
archive number: r-6-012 object reference: Banda Customary Ritual Photo on Wood origin: Banda date: - notes: The Banda Islands maintain a rich and hybrid customary culture, combining elements of indigenous Bandanese ritual with practices from diverse cultures across the archipelago. This photo features a customary ritual from Kampung Adat ____ artist:
archive number: r-6-013 object reference: Belang Motif Photo on Wood origin: Banda date: - notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. artist: -
archive number: r-6-013 object reference: Belang Motif Photo on Wood origin: Banda date: - notes: Belang are customary rowing boats used for centuries in Banda for a range of purposes, including naval warfare, ritual, racing and cultural events. They are maintained by each of Banda's customary villages and renewed periodically. artist: -
archive number: r-6-013 object reference: Bandanese Salawaku origin: Banda date: - notes: Salawaku are traditional shields and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They were once used in tribal warfare, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-013 object reference: Bandanese Salawaku origin: Banda date: - notes: Salawaku are traditional shields and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They were once used in tribal warfare, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-013 object reference: Bandanese Salawaku origin: Banda date: - notes: Salawaku are traditional shields and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They were once used in tribal warfare, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-013 object reference: Bandanese Salawaku origin: Banda date: - notes: Salawaku are traditional shields and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They were once used in tribal warfare, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-013 object reference: Bandanese Salawaku origin: Banda date: - notes: Salawaku are traditional shields and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They were once used in tribal warfare, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-013 object reference: Bandanese Salawaku origin: Banda date: - notes: Salawaku are traditional shields and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They were once used in tribal warfare, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-014 object reference: Bandanese Kapsete origin: Banda date: - notes: Kapsete are traditional helments and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They originate in early interactions with Portuguese expeditions, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-014 object reference: Bandanese Kapsete origin: Banda date: - notes: Kapsete are traditional helments and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They originate in early interactions with Portuguese expeditions, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-014 object reference: Bandanese Kapsete origin: Banda date: - notes: Kapsete are traditional helments and a central component of Banda's customary attire. They originate in early interactions with Portuguese expeditions, but now function mostly as ritual objects such as in the Bandanese 'Cakalele' dance.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-015 object reference: 'Tempat Sirih' Offering Tools origin: Banda date: - notes: Bandanese rituals often involve the presentation of symbolic offerings in a range of items. Many rituals now use woven baskets from leaves, but this ritual set was once used to make offerings and store symbolic items such as fruit, seeds, herbs, incense, etc.
archive number: r-6-016 object reference: Wine Bottle (assumed) origin: Europe date: 18th century (assumed) notes: The dark green glass and elongated neck of this bottle indicates its origins in the 18th century as a vessel for wine/bitters.
archive number: r-6-017 object reference: Wine Bottle (assumed) origin: Europe date: 18th century (assumed) notes: This painting depicts several characters in the cakalele dance: the Captain, the Left Malesi, the Right Malesi, and the Hulubalang.
archive number: r-6-018 object reference: Burung Besi origin: Banda date: - notes: This contemporary artwork was created by M.S. Alwi for the ‘Beta Alam’ art movement. It represents the perspective of Bandanese people first seeing aeroplanes, particularly during the Second World War, when many aeroplanes passed in the skies over Banda. Not knowing about the modern machines, people in Banda called them ‘iron birds’.
archive number: r-6-020 object reference: ??? origin: Banda date: - notes:
archive number: r-6-021 object reference: Ceramic bottles origin: - date: - notes:
archive number: r-6-021 object reference: Ceramic bottles origin: - date: - notes:

