Moluccas — Islands of Memory

After Francisco Serrão’s arrival in 1512, the Moluccas became the epicenter of violent struggles for control of cloves and nutmeg. Enslavement, forced alliances, and massacres scarred island societies. In 2025, economic dependency and environmental threats linger. Yet cultural resilience flourishes through spice cooperatives, traditional music, and biodiversity protection, proving that despite centuries of exploitation, local voices remain strong and creative.