Stories and facts

The Elmina-Java Museum, located in the historic coastal town of Elmina, Ghana, tells the unique story of collaboration and cultural exchange across continents, connecting Ghana, the Netherlands, and Indonesia.

This museum highlights the Belanda Hitam African soldiers recruited in the 19th century to serve in the Dutch colonial army in the East Indies, now Indonesia.

Between 1831 and 1872, over 3,000 African men left Elmina to serve the Dutch, some settling in Java while others returned to live in Elmina or Europe.

Established in 2003 with the support of the Edward A. Ulzen family, the museum showcases this extraordinary history through documents, photographs, and artefacts.

It also examines how Indonesian exiles from Java were integrated into Ghanaian society, leaving enduring cultural imprints still observable today.

Through its exhibitions, the museum sheds light on migration, resilience, and cultural fusion linking West Africa and Southeast Asia.

Beyond this, the Elmina-Java Museum presents local history, including the genealogy of influential families and the relationships between Elmina, the Ashanti Kingdom, and Dutch colonial powers.

It is a place to discover a lesser-known chapter of Ghana’s past and to understand its global significance, offering visitors a rich journey through a fascinating and powerful heritage.

Explore additional museums that contribute to Ghana's history below: