Indo’s and Moluccans in the Netherlands

The Dutch population counts approximately 16,5 million people. Roughly 1 million are from Indonesian descent. Most of them Indo-Europeans and Moluccans who have lived in the Netherlands for generations. But surprisingly not everybody knows how they got there. Or how they changed the face of the country for good.

During the long relationship the Netherlands had with his former colony many immigrants made their way from Asia to Europe. Mainly for socio-political or economic reasons. They settled in a different world altogether. But inevitably, many of their habits, customs stayed with them. Dutch culture and society has therefore been strongly influenced by Indonesian and Asian culture.