This article attempts to give a brief picture about the genre and themes in the
Dutch-Indies Literature from the VOC period. During the VOC-period, more
than six months was needed to embark on a journey by sea from the Netherlands
to Batavia. Undertaking this journey meant encountering many obstacles which
occurred through the work of man as well as nature. In addition, a successful
landing on the shores of the East did not always ensure a friendly reception. Due
to these obstacles which they encountered, only a small number of those who
had set sail from Europe were able to return home safely. Most of those who
managed to survive this long and dangerous journey to the land of spices, finally
chose to stay and start a new life in the East. Some of these men, in an effort to
establish their new life, were able to make contact and build relationships with
the local women. This paved the way for the emergence of the Mestis culture,
in which we find the elements of East and West.
