Far across Indonesia’s eastern seas lies the Maluku Archipelago, the legendary Spice Islands. Here, the scent of clove and nutmeg drifts through mountain air, while the ocean glows with tropical light. Maluku is more than a destination, it’s a living story, where ancient rituals, pristine rainforests, and fiery volcanoes shape the rhythm of island life.
Where Tradition Lives in Harmony with Nature
Every island in Maluku holds a ritual that binds its people to the land and sea. In Soya Village, the annual Cuci Negeri Soya ceremony cleanses homes, sacred stones, and hearts, renewing harmony between villagers and their ancestors.
In Mamala and Morela, the fierce yet symbolic Pukul Sapu unfolds one week after Idul Fitri, when bare-chested men strike one another with palm brooms to symbolize courage, forgiveness, and brotherhood.
Across Haruku and Ambon, long communal tables fill with papeda, smoked fish, and cassava during Makan Patita, where everyone eats together—no invitation needed, just unity and laughter.
Meanwhile, the sacred Sasi reminds everyone that nature must rest. For months, villages forbid fishing or harvesting, allowing the ocean and forest to renew. When the Sasi is lifted, it’s marked with prayers, singing, and thanksgiving, a timeless model of sustainability that keeps both sea and spirit in balance.
Volcanoes, Rainforests, and the Call of the Wild
Beyond these rituals lies a landscape of unmatched drama – volcanoes rising from the sea, rainforests veiled in mist, rivers carving through green valleys.
In Central Seram, Mount Binaiya (3,027 m) reigns as the highest summit in Maluku. The Binaiya Rainforest Expedition by Climb Indonesia leads through dense jungle alive with orchids, giant pitcher plants, and the calls of endemic birds—among them the Ceram cockatoo, Moluccan king parrot, and occasionally the Papuan hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), which still roams the deep valleys of Manusela National Park. Sightings of hornbills are possible, though never guaranteed—reminders of how wild and unspoiled these forests remain.
Days are spent trekking through moss-covered ridges; nights are spent under the stars, surrounded by the hum of cicadas and the whisper of ancient trees.
Near Ambon, the Salahutu Rainforest Odyssey challenges trekkers with three summits -Salahutu, Salamoni, and Simalopu. The trail crosses crystal-clear rivers and narrow ridges overlooking both the northern and southern coasts of Ambon. Mist, spice trees, and ocean breeze create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Indonesia.
The Halmahera Volcano Belt – Fire Above the Sea
To the north, adventure intensifies along the Halmahera Volcano Belt, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanic arcs. Here, nature’s power is both mesmerizing and humbling.
Climb Indonesia’s Halmahera Volcano Adventure connects three spectacular peaks:
- Mount Gamalama (1,715 m) – Ternate’s iconic cone, often crowned by drifting clouds and overlooking centuries-old forts and spice gardens.
- Mount Dukono (1,229 m) – a continuously erupting volcano in northern Halmahera where night trekkers may witness glowing lava and ash plumes lighting the tropical sky.
- Mount Gamkonora (1,635 m) – the highest volcano in Halmahera, known for its vast crater and panoramic views over untouched coastline and rainforest.
Each ascent blends raw adventure with cultural encounter, the scent of cloves, the warmth of local hospitality, and the thunder of the earth beneath your boots.
Where Culture and Adventure Become One
Across Maluku, rituals like Kololi Kie – a boat procession circling Mount Gamalama – reflect the islanders’ respect for natural forces. Ceremonies such as Panas Pela and Fagogoru unite villages in peace and reconciliation, while the Cakalele war dance revives the warrior spirit through rhythm and movement. These traditions are not museum relics, they are living expressions of resilience, balance, and belonging. They mirror the landscape itself: wild, spiritual, and full of life.
Traditional Ceremonies of Maluku – Key Dates and Intervals
- Cuci Negeri Soya – Soya Village, Ambon Island, Second week of December (annual)Village-cleansing ritual renewing harmony between people and ancestors.
- Pukul Sapu -Mamala & Morela Villages, Ambon Island 7th day of Syawal (after Idul Fitri), Symbolic broom-stick ritual of courage and forgiveness.
- Makan Patita -Various villages in Ambon &Haruku, Irregular during major communal events Feast of unity where everyone eats together.
- Sasi Opening & Closing – Coastal villages across Central & North Maluku Seasonal / varies by village. Ceremony marking natural-resource closure and reopening.
- Kololi Kie – Ternate Island, North Maluku. Occasional / linked to volcanic or celestial events. Boat procession around Mount Gamalama to honor the sea and volcano.
- Panas Pela – Seram & surrounding islands Every 3–4 years. Alliance renewal and peace ceremony between neighboring villages.
- Fagogoru –North Maluku Irregular / as needed for reconciliation.Traditional ritual for restoring friendship and unity.
- Cakalele War Dance -Across Maluku & North Maluku. During festivals & welcoming events. Warrior dance celebrating courage and cultural pride.
Own Your Journey to the Spice Islands
For travelers who seek more than scenery, those who crave meaning, challenge, and connection, the Maluku Archipelago is a revelation. From the rainforest trails of Binaiya and Salahutu to the fiery summits of Gamalama, Dukono, and Gamkonora, every journey with Climb Indonesia is an immersion into nature’s raw beauty and the island’s living soul.
Walk the trails. Feel the pulse of the Spice Islands.
Own Your Journey with Climb Indonesia – Adventure Beyond the Horizon.