Ternate, My Fashionable Hometown (I)

Whenever someone heard that I'm from Ternate, I sometimes get a comment like "Ah... Ternate, it is in Sulawesi right?" or "Ternate, oo... the one in Ambon." (this one is actually pretty close - mendingan lah). Hmmm..sometimes (often) I feel like yelling: "Read/buy yourself a map" or even "how did you even get passed junior high". As an Indonesian, you should be aware that Ternate was part of Maluku (Molucca), but on its own now. I bet not all of you are aware that Ternate is one of the province now. But it's fine really, now that you know, I hope I won't be mistaken as someone from "Ternate-Sulawesi".

A Map of Ternate (see... it's nowhere near Sulawesi)

A view of Ternate City

A History of Ternate

The tiny volcanic island of Ternate is one of the four historic sultanates of North Maluku that were once the World's only source of cloves and attracted traders from across the globe. Today Ternate is the capital of, and the main gateway into North Maluku province. It offers several historical sights and great volcanic scenery, dominated by active Mount Gamalama.

Here's a picture of Mount Gamalama

Ternate, the most prominent of the four Moluccan sultanates, traces its origins to the arrival of the Muslim sage, Sayyid Ja'afar Siddiq, but the exact line of descent is subject to contradictory genealogy, from the late sixteenth century Sultan, Zainal Abidin.

The island shares a unique history with the neighbouring states of Jailolo, Tidore and Bacan. All four share the same legendary past in which they form a cosmic whole, almost a separate universe or realm. In this universe, each state has its appointed place. Ternate forms the most important unit and its ruler is termed the Kolano ma-Luku (ruler of the Moluccas). Modern history, however, suggests that Ternate's position owes its place military triumphs, successfully concluded when it vanquished Tidore and Jailolo in 1380.

The Sultanate Palace

Located in the midst of the "Spice Islands", Ternate attracted the early attention of European explorers and merchants during the sixteenth century. The Portuguese were the first on the scene and began in local politics and religious affairs almost immediately. Later, the Spanish also retook the fort in 1606 and removed Sultan Said to Manila. They then set about converting the Sultan and his family to Catholicism.

The arrival of Dutch in 1599 proved fortuitous to Kaicili Muzaffar, the youngest son of Sultan Said. He forged an alliance with the VOC, which enabled him to secure the throne in 1607. The grateful Sultan granted the VOC a lucrative contract with an exclusive spice concession in 1609.

Although relations with the Dutch remained peaceful, continuing rivalry with the Tidore resulted in sporadic outbreaks of conflict into the nineteenth century. The British took over control of the Dutch East Indies during the Napoleonic Wars.Although there was an attempt to end the sultanate in 1876 and again in 1916, the Dutch colonial powers changed their minds and relented in the face of popular feeling. They restored the sultanate in 1927 and made no further attempts to destroy the institution.

Next... Attractions in Ternate