Opperhoofd is aDutch word (pluralopperhoofden) that literally translates to "upper-head", meaning "supremeheadman". TheDanishcognateoverhoved, which is acalque derived from a Danish pronunciation of the Dutch orLow German[1] word, is also treated here. The standardGerman cognate isOberhaupt.
In modern Dutch,opperhoofd remains in use for a nativetribal chief, such as asachem ofNative Americans. Despite the superlative etymology, it can be applied to several chiefs in a single native community. The derived Danish wordhøvding also carries this same meaning.
However, this article is devoted to its more former, historical use as agubernatorial title, comparable to the Englishchief factor, for the chief executive officer of a Dutchfactorij in the sense of trading post, as led by a factor, i.e. agent.
The etymologically cognate title of Danishoverhoved (singular) had a similar gubernatorial use (sometimes rendered in English asstation chief), notably on theDanish Gold Coast.[a]
The factory established on 20 September 1609 atHirado by theDutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, VOC), next in 1641, as the Dutchfactorij was moved by order of theshogunate thereto, onDejima (Desjima in purist Dutch, orLatinized as Decima) Island, inNagasaki Bay.[2] The trading post was maintained under the Dutch state after the 1795 end of VOC administration till on 28 February 1860 Dejima was abandoned.[b]