HAINUWELE Gallery exhibition – Eva Ririhena, Tabitha Boekweit and Tina Sopacua

Indigenous storytelling

HAINUWELE takes its name from the myth of Hainuwele, an origin story from Ceram, Moluccas. 'Hai' means tree and 'nuwele' means coconut. Hainuwele was born from a coconut tree. She brought gold, porcelain, coral and many other beautiful objects to the community. Out of jealousy she was murdered. Her body was buried in various places, and in those places grew coconut trees and plants that are essential to the Moluccan community.

As third generation Moluccan women we feel connected to the origin myth of Hainuwele. Through interactive research, exhibitions and events we create space to share our indigenous stories with the world around us.