Almost 400 years ago, the Dutch bought what is now New York for a few glass beads. In the exhibition “Manahahtáanung or New Amsterdam”, the founding story is told for the first time from the perspective of the indigenous population – and thus in a new way.
Author: Kerstin Schweighöfer
05.08.2024, 09:27
The birth certificate of New York cannot be missing from this exhibition: a torn and yellowed letter from 1626. Written by a certain Pieter Schaghen, administrator of the Dutch West India Company.
He informs a superior in faraway Amsterdam that they have found a suitable place to establish Nieuw Amsterdam: an island in the estuary of the Hudson River.
Caption: Pieter Schaghen’s letter from 1626 has been considered proof of the legal purchase of Manhattan for almost 400 years – the legend is now being challenged. Getty Images / Bloomberg / Contributor
They bought the island from the indigenous population, the Lenape tribe, for glass beads and ornaments worth 60 guilders. At the time, 60 guilders was equivalent to about seven beaver pelts.
Manahahtáanung was the name given to the island by the Lenape. Manahahtáanung like Manhattan. “Manhahtáanung or New Amsterdam” is also the title of this groundbreaking show. A tongue twister, but the exhibition in the Amsterdam City Museum also offers a video language course: to practice the correct pronunciation.
A long overdue change of perspective
It is groundbreaking because it presents the founding story of Nieuw Amsterdam, later New York, for the first time from the perspective of the local population.
Selling the island for a few ornaments? That’s absurd.
Until now, it had been the success story of the adventurous settlers from the North Sea coast who turned the trading post on the Hudson into a carbon copy of Amsterdam.
Although the Dutch had to cede the island to the English in 1667 (New Amsterdam became New York), Pieter Schaghen’s 60 guilder transaction was considered the most lucrative bargain of Dutch trading for four centuries.
Caption: On display in the exhibition: a historic flag of New York City – still in the tricolour design of the United Netherlands of the 17th century. Bertram Kalisch / Collectie Amsterdam Museum
And for just as long, Schaghen’s letter was considered proof that the Lenape had voluntarily sold Manahahtáanung. “A myth!” clarified Brent Stonefish, a descendant of the original inhabitants of Manahahtáanung.
“There was no sale. The idea that you can own land and trade it is alien to us. The idea that we sold the island for a few ornaments is absurd!”
Stonefish is part of a group of Lenape who conceived this exhibition together with the Amsterdam City Museum, ruthlessly dispelling romantic notions.
Caption: Brent Stonefish tells of the origins of the Lenape in the Amsterdam exhibition: Orally – the way most indigenous knowledge was passed down. Brent Stonefish
What began with trade led to war, expulsion and exploitation: “First by the Dutch colonists, then by the British,” says curator Imara Limon.
«We are still here»
The story is told using documents, maps, ship models and artwork from the Lenape. There is also a stuffed beaver.
Caption: In preparation for the exhibition, representatives of the Lenape visited the city museum. The indigenous population of Manhattan now has a clear voice in Amsterdam. Amsterdam Museum / Francoise Bolechowski
The most expressive videos are those in which the descendants of the original inhabitants speak for themselves. Among them is Chief Yrie Ridgeway: “We are still here. We are the survivors of a holocaust. Of a genocide. But our culture, our families and our languages are still alive.”
Corrected story
Heavy stuff that you have to digest first. And you have to take your time with this exhibition. The chief alone speaks for an hour in his video.
Nevertheless, the exhibition is worth a visit: The story of the founding of New York is being retold. And a chapter of history that the Dutch were particularly proud of is being corrected.
Exhibition notice
Open box Close box
Legend: Amsterdam Museum
The exhibition “Manahahtáanung or New Amsterdam?” about the indigenous history of New York can be seen at the Amsterdam Museum from May 16 to November 10, 2024. A follow-up exhibition will be on display at the New York City Museum from fall 2025.
The cultural highlights of the week in the newsletter
Open box Close box
Discover inspiration, stories and treasures from the world of culture: every Sunday, directly to your inbox. Subscribe to newsletter now.
