Questions for film “Spice Island Saga” from the

series Ring of Fire: an Indonesian Odyssey

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1914): English naturalist who, following his travels to Brazil and the Indonesian archipelago, advanced a theory of evolution that was similar to the ideas of Charles Darwin.  Wallace’s particular contribution to study of evolutionary development came from his study of biogeography. Bugis: Indonesian ethnic minority renown for their sea-faring abilities. Makassar: traditional trading port located on southwestern coast of the island of Celebes (Sulawesi).

Banda Sea: sea to the south of the Moluccas. Buru: Bugis crew’s home island. Animism: the worship of natural objects and phenomena. Buton Sultanate: Muslim political order established at earliest point in 1580 on islands off southeastern coast of Celebes. Aru Islands: islands located to the west of New Guinea.

Discussion Questions:

#1. Who are the Bugis? What profession are they engaged in?  How do the monsoon winds affect their commercial activities?  What difficulties do the Bugis face in their sea-going activities?

#2. The Bugis as a community practice Islam.  How do their religious customs differ from the practices of Muslim worshippers elsewhere?  Why?

#3. What effect have the Spice Islands had on Western history?  What local product from this region has been highly prized in the West?  Which Western colonial power eventually seized control of the region?