The Face of a Forgotten Land

Kompas/A Ponco Anggoro

Children of Savanajaya village on Buru Island, Maluku, browse through book at Taman Baca Mini Learning House, which was established by former political prisoners of 1964 who were exiled to Buru. They hope the “reading garden” can help prevent the dark events of 1965 from repeating, and free their reputation from the stigma of the now defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

Destined to be on the losing side of the nation’s history, their love for the country has never dissipated. Amid all the limitations and pressures, many of them have successfully transformed the land where they live. In their hands, a forgotten land was turned into a promising one. They have left behind a valuable heritage for the country’s future generations.

Buru Island in Maluku has been synonymous with humanitarian tragedy since the time of the war of independence.