Tomb of Lepejou

The Tomb of Lepejou is the oldest Muslim burial site in the Netherlands, dating back to 1828.[1][2] The grave is located on the Huize Arnichem Estate outside the hamlet of Haerst, which is under the municipal jurisdiction of Zwolle.

Tomb of Lepejou
Text written on the gravestone of Lepejou
General information
TypeTomb
LocationHaerst, Overijssel, Netherlands
Coordinates52.541957°N 6.138710°E / 52.541957; 6.138710

Lepejou

Lepejou was a historical figure born circa 1805 on the island of Sulawesi in the former Dutch East Indies.[lower-alpha 1][3] Lepejou died on 23 July 1828.[4] Lepejou was born from parents named August and Jeanette and he was sold as a slave in British Guiana. Although Lepejou was from Sulawesi, his death certificate incorrectly stated that he was born in Boegis.[4]

Folklore

Numerous Dutch publications have reported local folklore surrounding the tomb of Lepejou.[5][6] Oral histories relate that Lepejou saved the life of Joan Hendrik Tobias, the historic owner of the Huize Arnichem Estate. As a way of saying thanks, Joan Hendrik Tobias subsequently brought Lepejou from Sulawesi to the Netherlands.[7]

Tombstone features

The grave consists of two stones. On the first stone is a Latin text, which translated reads: "Lepejou, also called Apolloon, was born on the island of Celebes and died on July 23, 1828." On the second stone is an Arabic text, which translated reads: "The lord has his most loyal servant dedicated this tomb, because he is grateful to him and always thinks of him."[8]

Burial site

In 1979, the grave was dug up and vandalized: both stones were broken and the tomb was partially opened.[9] At this time, the skull was also stolen from the grave.[9]

In archives

The legal death certificate of Lepejou is held in the Historical Center Overijssel in Zwolle.[10]

See also

Notes
  1. Dutch sources state that Lepejou died at the age of 23 years. The difference between his death year of 1828 and his death age of 23 gives an approximate birth year of 1805.

References
  1. Neefjes, Jan (2011). "Graf van Lepejou, Het Oudste Moslimgraf van Nederland". Cultuurhistorische Atlas van de Vecht: Biografie van Nederlands Grootste Kleine Rivier. Zwolle: Uitgeverij WBOOKS. p. 105. ISBN 9789040078309. OCLC 757519664.
  2. Polak, Henri (July 22, 1939). "Kroniek van dr. Henri Polak". Het Volk (in Dutch). p. 4.
  3. Buist, G. (2000). Geheimen in het Vechtdal. Uitgave van Stichting Kunst & Cultuur Overijssel.
  4. Dam, René ten (27 October 2001). "Haerst - Het graf van de 'negerslaaf'". www.dodenakkers.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  5. "Mijn Stad Mijn Dorp - Lepejou, het eerste moslimgraf in Nederland". Mijn Stad Mijn Dorp (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  6. Ten Hove, J. (2018). Arnichem Buitenplaats Aan De Vecht: Historie Van Huis en Haersterveer. Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. pp. 118–122. ISBN 9789462621916.
  7. ten Dam, René (January 3, 2010). "Haerst - Het graf van de negerslaaf". Stichting Dodenakkers (in Dutch). Archived from the original on May 21, 2012.
  8. Dam, René ten (27 October 2001). "Haerst - Het graf van de 'negerslaaf'". www.dodenakkers.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  9. Smit, Hans. "Graf Lepejou". Zwolle in Beeld (in Dutch).
  10. "Zwolle herdenkt afschaffing van de slavernij: "De geschiedenis werkt door tot vandaag"". RTV Oost (in Dutch). 30 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
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