Sinterklaas in the Moluccas

Arrival of Sinterklaas early December 1996 in Tobelo on the Moluccan island of Halmahera.
Here he is accompanied by different coloured assisting "Petes", including one who is painted
black. The yearly feast must have been introduced here during the Dutch colonial days.  In the
Netherlands "Pete" is always black and the celebration has often been criticized as being racist.

© Kees Metselaar 1996