Ternate Sultanate Palace

Preservation of Intangible Heritage through Rituals and Customs

The primary function of the Ternate Sultanate Palace is to maintain the continuity of Se Atoran (customary law). One of the most sacred cultural activities that is still preserved is Kololi Kie. This ritual involves a journey around Mount Gamalama as a form of respect for nature and ancestors. Within the Palace grounds, the strict protocol and etiquette of the sultanate, known as Bobato, are still observed, providing a tangible glimpse into Ternate's hierarchical yet harmonious social structure.

Every Friday night, the Palace hosts communal prayers and spiritual rituals involving customary apparatus. These activities are not merely religious routines but an effort to nurture the relationship between humans, the Creator, and the sultanate's history, which is deeply infused with Islamic spirit. Visitors often have the opportunity to witness the procession of the Palace guards changing, wearing special traditional attire and maintaining the sultanate's traditional military discipline.

Traditional Arts and Grand Performances

The Palace functions as a natural school for the preservation of performing arts. One of the most iconic dances is Tari Soya-Soya. This liberation dance was created during the reign of Sultan Baabullah to celebrate victory over the Portuguese. Under the auspices of the Palace, this dance is taught to local youth, ensuring that the kinetic movements symbolizing courage and war strategy do not fade.

Additionally, there is Tari Lalayon, a social dance that conveys philosophical messages about love and brotherhood. The accompanying music uses traditional instruments such as the tifa, gong, and stambul. The Palace regularly holds these performances to welcome esteemed guests or during major sultanate celebrations. The uniqueness of the performing arts here lies in their fixed choreography, which must not be altered, as each movement is considered to carry historical weight and prayers.

Crafts and Artifacts: Preserving Visual Identity

As a cultural center, the Palace houses an invaluable collection of artifacts. Inside, there is a museum exhibiting a golden throne, empress's jewelry, traditional weapons such as parang and salawaku, and ancient manuscripts written on bark or old European paper.

One aspect of craftsmanship that is highly emphasized is the preservation of Ternate batik motifs and traditional weaving. The Palace encourages local artisans to rediscover motifs inspired by spices (cloves and nutmeg) and the symbol of a double-headed bird (Garoa). This craft development program aims to ensure that the sultanate's symbols are not just museum displays but also part of a creative industry that supports the local community without losing their sacred value.

Educational Programs and Historical Literacy

The Ternate Sultanate Palace is actively involved in organizing educational programs for students and researchers. There is a library of ancient manuscripts that serves as a reference for academics worldwide to study the history of global spice trade. The "Kedaton Mengajar" (Palace Teaches) program often involves customary officials or Joguru to give lectures on the philosophy of Adat Se Atoran to university students.

This cultural center also facilitates cultural discussions that explore Ternate's role in the global spice route network. This education is crucial for instilling pride in Ternate's youth, reminding them that their region was once an international political and economic center respected by European nations.

Cultural Festivals: Legu Gam and Ternate's Anniversary

The culmination of all cultural activities at the Palace is the Legu Gam celebration. This festival is held annually to commemorate the Sultan's birthday. For nearly a month, the area around the Palace transforms into a giant stage showcasing the entire cultural richness of North Maluku.

During this festival, residents from various regions—even from remote islands—come to pay homage to the Sultan. The event features exhibitions of traditional cuisine such as Popeda, Gohu Ikan, and various sago dishes. Legu Gam is not just a people's festival but a social mechanism to strengthen the bond between the leader and his people, as well as the most effective cultural tourism promotion in North Maluku.

Conservation of the Hairy Crown: A Unique Treasure

One of the most unique cultural aspects found only at the Ternate Palace is the existence of the Stampa, or the Sultan's Crown with hair. The hair on this crown is believed to continue growing and is only trimmed through a highly secret ritual at specific times.

The procession of trimming the crown's hair is a very private yet highly respected cultural event. This demonstrates that the Palace not only preserves inanimate objects but also nurtures the "life" within heirlooms considered to have high spiritual value. The conservation of this crown involves traditional techniques passed down through generations by specific families within the sultanate.

The Palace's Role in Local Cultural Development

In the era of regional autonomy, the Ternate Sultanate Palace plays a crucial role as a partner to the government in cultural development. The Palace provides customary legitimacy for various public policies related to social affairs. As a cultural center, it acts as a filter against foreign cultural influences that are not in line with local values.

The Palace also serves as a forum for social reconciliation. If conflicts arise between residents, customary approaches taken within the Palace grounds are often more effective than formal legal channels. This proves that the Palace's function as a cultural center extends to social harmony and security stability.

Preservation Efforts Amidst Modernity

The challenges of the times have not led the Palace to close itself off. Currently, the Palace is venturing into the digital world to document sultanate archives. Digitizing manuscripts and creating creative content about the sultanate's history are forward steps to reach millennial audiences.

The renovation of the Palace building is carried out with great care to preserve its architectural authenticity, which blends colonial style with local philosophy. The use of specific building materials is maintained according to customary instructions, as every corner of the Palace building holds philosophical meaning—from the number of steps to the building's orientation facing the sea, symbolizing Ternate's readiness to welcome the world while remaining grounded in its roots.

Conclusion

The Ternate Sultanate Palace is the heart that pumps the blood of culture throughout the lifeblood of North Maluku society. As a cultural center, it successfully fulfills a dual function: as a museum preserving the nation's collective memory, and as a living institution continuously producing new values without abandoning tradition. Its existence ensures that Ternate's identity as the "Land of Kings" will endure, making it a must-visit cultural destination for anyone wishing to understand the essence of Nusantara's history and local wisdom.