A Global Pela: The Moluccan Diaspora in the Sister City of Vlissingen-Ambon

This research delves into the activities of the SSVA, a Moluccan diaspora organisation based in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, explicitly focusing on its pivotal role in establishing a sister-city relationship with the ancestral homeland, Ambon. Moving beyond a conventional development initiative, we posit that the Vlissingen-Ambon sister-city programme is rooted in a Moluccan traditional bond known as pela, which extends its influence globally, leading us to coin the term ‘global pela’. Employing a qualitative approach, we conducted in-depth interviews in May 2022 with key stakeholders and comprehensively analysed primary documents. Our findings revealed that the Moluccan diaspora community in Vlissingen has effectively addressed the psychological trauma experienced upon their initial migration to the Netherlands. Moreover, they have developed a unique diasporic community that transcends traditional notions of nationalism and formal citizenship. This research highlights the lasting importance of cultural bonds in fostering transnational relationships and healing historical wounds.