Citing Ann Laura Stoler’s book with the same title, this project attempts to look at archives on literal grains–rice, fruits, vegetables–introduced in order to multiply food production during the Japanese colonization of Indonesia from 1942 to 1945.
In this project, the archive is a part of ‘colonial imaginaries’ for those in power, as an instrument of domination. Djawa Baroe, a propaganda magazine published by colonial authorities, is one of our resources to study the social-political situation back then. The magazine was a tool; not only to spread Japanese culture and doctrine but also to gather support and raw materials for the Japanese military during the Greater East Asia War (Perang Asia Timur Raya (大東亜戦争, Dai Tō-A Sensō)).
Through articles, posters, songs, Djawa Baroe covers, and short films by the propaganda film company Nippon Eiga Sha (日本映画社), we navigate the idea of reclaiming our agriculture historical narrative during the Japanese colonial period in Indonesia. This study seeks to understand how Japanese colonization instigated doctrine, manipulations, and control over food resources and the domestic sphere through popular media.
As we dived deep into the archive, we found it very important to not only read those historical materials as it is but also to analyze and criticize the agriculture policies which impacted people’s lives in that period. Thus, this project is an invitation to question many levels of agriculture issues and structural violence hidden behind propagandist narratives.
ALONG THE ARCHIVAL GRAIN
Unveiling agriculture propaganda during Japanese colonialism
