Militaire begrafenis 1949

This is a page from a photo album of unknown date, documenting a military funeral, made by an anonymous photographer. The images, arranged on a simple brown page, show various aspects of the ceremony, from the somber procession to the assembly of soldiers. Given the title, "Militaire begrafenis," and the visual cues in the photographs, it’s likely these images are from a Dutch colonial context, perhaps Indonesia, where military presence and colonial power dynamics were deeply embedded. These images represent the visual language of colonialism, capturing moments of enforced order. The collective identity of the military is emphasized, obscuring individual stories and perspectives. The stark, formal composition of the photographs evokes the distance between those in power and the local population. Military funerals are inherently performative, displays of strength and unity, but this album invites us to consider whose stories are being told, and whose are silenced. It reflects on a history shaped by colonial power and military presence.