3. While R.A Kartini known as a heroes of
women’s emancipation. In Maluku , a brave young
woman took up arms along with her male peers
against colonizers of the Dutch era. She was
Christina Martha Tiahahu.
Christina Martha Tiahahu was born in Abubu
village , Nusalaut Island on January 24th 1800. At
the age of 17 , she joined the guerrilla unit
commanded by her father , Kapitan Paulus
Tiahahu in the resistance movement on Nusalaut
Island.
4. Along with her father and other freedom
fighters , including Kapiten Pattimura ,
Christina was captured and carried aboard the
Dutch ship Eversten. Her father and several
other Maluku fighters were sentenced to
death.
In a sweep launched by the Dutch in
December 1817 Christina and 39 other Maluku
people were arrested and transported aboard
the Eversten to Java.
5. Following independence , the Indonesian government declared the Maluku
freedom fighter a national heroine , and her death anniversary on January 2nd is
commemorated as Christina Martha Tiahahu Day.
On that day , thousands of flower petals are cast into the Banda sea in an official
ceremony organized annually to celebrate her courage in the strunggle for Indonesia’s
freedom.
6. In Ambon , the Martha Tiahahu monument , upon which a
statue of the heroine stands 8 meters tall , spear in hand , watches over
the island and its bay from atop the hilly area of Karangpanjang.
A similar monument has also been erected in her birthplace , but
her image in Abubu village looks more heroic , potraying her taking
the lead in a battle.
