Born: 4 January 1800, Indonesia
Died: 2 January 1818
Country most active: Indonesia
Also known as: NA
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Martha Christina Tiahahu, a Moluccan (Indonesia) freedom fighter against the Dutch colonizers, was the daughter of Captain Paulus Tiahahu, and she grew up following her father, who was involved in military matters. At the age of 17, she joined the war led by Pattimura against the Dutch colonial government. She participated in multiple battles, including one where Dutch commander Richement was killed and Duurstede Fortress was burned down.
Tiahahu’s actions in battles were resourceful, as she would throw stones at Dutch troops when her side ran out of ammunition. She and her father, along with Pattimura, were captured by the Dutch in October 1817 but were later released due to her young age. Despite this, she continued her fight against the Dutch.
In December 1817, Tiahahu and other former rebels were caught again and were being transported to Java as enslaved laborers. However, during the journey, she fell ill and refused to accept medication or food. She passed away on 2 January 1818, with a burial at sea.
Martha Christina Tiahahu is recognized as a National Heroine of Indonesia. Her legacy includes statues erected in her honor in Ambon and Abubu, as well as a warship named after her, the KRI Martha Christina Tiahahu. To honor her memory, January 2 was designated Martha Christina Tiahahu Day, during which the people in Maluku spread flower petals over the Banda Sea in an official ceremony.