Because in Drenthe too, slavery is closer than you might think. A number of wealthy Drenthe families also traded in people. “What I have here is a deed of sale. A family member of De Vos van Steenwijk sells his share in a plantation,” says Ellen van der Velds of the Drents Archief, as she lays down a number of old documents with elegant letters on a white table.
“There it is mentioned, among other things, that the buildings, the mills, the undeveloped and cultivated land are sold. But in between are also the slaves, female slaves and their children mentioned as movable property,” continues Van der Velds.
“There is a caveat,” emphasizes Van der Velds. “We cannot say for sure what Drents is like. The family members who are appointed may also have crossed the provincial borders.”
During the time of slavery, Drenthe was not very economically viable. It is clear that there are families from Drenthe who acted. But how big their role was, it’s hard to say. “We also don’t know how many more documents there are. We therefore certainly recommend that researchers come and do research in our archives,” says Van der Velds.
“We don’t have a ready-made box with everything about the slavery history in Drenthe. It really takes a lot of research to make all the connections and to get the picture complete.”
In recent weeks, it has been discussed many times: should Keti Koti become a national day off? If it is up to Veneberg of the Committee 30 June / 1 July, of course. As mentioned, she hopes that the whole of the Netherlands will eventually think about it just as much as on Liberation Day. “As a committee, we like to be in contact with other organizations in the context of culture and diversity in order to create a beautiful whole together.”
“We must all look for a joint future. Where there is connection and solidarity. But changes must be made in society, which starts with awareness. Only then can we face a connecting future together”, she concludes.