Forbidden memories: women's experiences of 1965 in Eastern Indonesia

This is the first book to consider the experiences of women survivors of the 1965 anti-communist violence in the majority Christian region of Eastern Indonesia. So far, most studies of the 1965 violence have focused on the Muslim majority population of Java and the Hindu majority population of Bali. Forbidden Memories presents stories from across the regions of Sumba, Sabu, Alor, Kupang and other parts of West Timor of women who were imprisoned and tortured or whose husbands were murdered. The book comprises a critical examination of the role of the Protestant Church at the time of the violence and, in its aftermath, the ongoing sanctions and political purges against those considered to be supporters of the Indonesian Communist Party. The writers argue that religious and state institutions failed to care for this vulnerable community in the face of state terrorism and a culture of fear.

Introduction: forbidden memories : women victims and survivors of the 1965 tragedy in eastern Indonesia / Mery Koliman -- State destruction of Sabu-Raijua women teachers / Paoina Bara Pa and Dorkas Nyake WiWi -- The 1965 incident and female activists in the city of Kupang / Nela Loy Bhoga, Martha Bire, and Golda Sooai -- There is a gulf between us: the 1965 events, the destruction of family relationships and the pastoral role of the church in East Kupang / Welys Hawuhaba-TaEdini, Elfrantin de Haan, and Fransina Rissi -- The 1965 incident and the women of south central Timor's fight for identity / Dina Penpada, Ivonne Peka, and Anna Salukhfeto -- Widows fight against injustice in Alor / Dorkas Sir, Erna Hunadang, and Ina Tiluata -- Victims of the 1965 tragedy: sinners? / Yetty Leyloh -- The 1965 tragedy in East Sumba: history from victims' perspectives / Irene Umbu Lolo -- The 1965 incidents through the eyes of GKS missionaries / Lilya Wetangterah -- Start with the victims: the meaning of the 1965 tragedy for contextual theology and pastoral action in NTT / Mery Kolimon

Introduction: forbidden memories : women victims and survivors of the 1965 tragedy in eastern Indonesia / Mery Koliman -- State destruction of Sabu-Raijua women teachers / Paoina Bara Pa and Dorkas Nyake WiWi -- The 1965 incident and female activists in the city of Kupang / Nela Loy Bhoga, Martha Bire, and Golda Sooai -- There is a gulf between us: the 1965 events, the destruction of family relationships and the pastoral role of the church in East Kupang / Welys Hawuhaba-TaEdini, Elfrantin de Haan, and Fransina Rissi -- The 1965 incident and the women of south central Timor's fight for identity / Dina Penpada, Ivonne Peka, and Anna Salukhfeto -- Widows fight against injustice in Alor / Dorkas Sir, Erna Hunadang, and Ina Tiluata -- Victims of the 1965 tragedy: sinners? / Yetty Leyloh -- The 1965 tragedy in East Sumba: history from victims' perspectives / Irene Umbu Lolo -- The 1965 incidents through the eyes of GKS missionaries / Lilya Wetangterah -- Start with the victims: the meaning of the 1965 tragedy for contextual theology and pastoral action in NTT / Mery Kolimon