Kota Inten 1951 Heritage Mug

In the spring of 1951, around 12,500 Moluccan KNIL soldiers and their families were brought to the Netherlands by order of the Dutch government. The Kota Inten was the first of several ships to make this historic voyage, arriving in Rotterdam on March 21, 1951. Originally told their stay would be temporary, these families were housed in woonoorden (former camps) across the country. This mug pays tribute to that defining journey. The badge design places the bow of a 1950s ocean liner inside the distinct hourglass silhouette of a Moluccan salawaku shield—a symbol of protection, resilience, and an identity that has remained fiercely intact through generations.