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Paper Short Abstract

Through anthropological inquiry, this paper contributes to the broader discourse on decolonisation, apologies, and the different ways power relations affect dealing with the past.

Paper Abstract

On commemorating the abolition of slavery and the celebration of Keti Koti on July 1 2023, King Willem-Alexander, the King of the Netherlands delivered a historic speech in which he offered apologies for the Netherlands' historical association with, and his ancestors' involvement in, slavery. Before that, members of the Dutch government had formally apologised for the nation's historical involvement in slavery.

This study delves into the meanings of the series of apology speeches for descendants of enslaved and colonised people in the Netherlands. I explore the complexities of apologising and its potential to disrupt established narratives about Dutch history.

The research aims to show the perspectives of Ghanaian-Dutch and Surinamese-Dutch regarding the series of formal Dutch apologies, probing what it means to them and whether it addresses enduring structural inequalities these communities face. Through anthropological inquiry, this paper contributes to the broader discourse on decolonisation, apologies, and the different ways power relations affect dealing with the past.