Sharing with the Devil
The Story of Appropriation in an Indonesian Coffee Plantation, 1830s–2000s

Organized by

Pujo Semedi
Senior Fellow 2024–2025

Annuska Derks
Associate Fellow

Informations

This event is aimed at an interested professional audience. We have a few places available on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to attend the workshop, please contact us via email to the Events Office.

This workshop will focus on Pujo Semedi‘s draft manuscript, which explores the appropriation of company assets by workers at the Sumbertelung coffee plantation in Java, Indonesia. The manuscript traces this phenomenon from the plantation’s establishment in 1875 through the 2000s. Despite being a highly productive plantation supplying commodities to the global market, a closer analysis reveals that the company has consistently reported losses due to the appropriation of assets by both workers and management. Pujo Semedi approaches this issue by conceptualizing plantations as dual spaces: arenas of production and sites of wealth distribution. He examines the tension between the owners’ drive for accumulation and the workers’ and managers’ demands for resource sharing.

During the workshop, participants will provide feedback on the manuscript, including its seven chapters, introduction, and conclusion. They will offer comments, critiques, and suggestions for improvement.

Program
February 27

Program
February 28