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TERNATE 50 TOPOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL DESCRIPTIONS
The kampong Toloa lies near Cape Bobo. This cape derives its name from the Nipa
[p. 76] Fruticans. 14 It extends directly south in the direction of the island Mare, the potters’
island, as shown on the maps. 15
The name Mare means “stone” in Ternatese and Tidorese, and pots and pans are
made from the clay found there. These wares are named according to their shape (sempe,
balangan, and small tampaya). Small sago ovens are also made for use all over the
Residency—they are very much in demand. The clay is available in largest quantities from
a hill on the southwest side. The hill is notable for its irregular shape, as if it had been
chopped off during an eruption. The clay is yellow in color and before it is fired it is coated
with a thin layer of red earth which is obtained from Halmahera not far from the Woda
Islands. As far as the process is concerned, one mixes the clay with water until the dough
to hit fa this is “a box on the ear”
to hit with a stick tsyako cako
copulation makalolo makololo, but means “embrace”
to give birth to besusu bosusu
to suckle meme ngofa meme
to divorce lelaki talaki, derived from Arabic
day wangi wange
shell biamahi bia ma-ahi
fish niauw nyau
fish head niauw madopollo nyau ma-dofolo
fish tail niauw mabi nyao ma-bii
hit ega this word means “snake”
arrow jubi jubi ma-sai, as contrasted with
jubi majora, “bow”
white man manusia bebulu manusia bobulo
flag paji bandera;
paji-paji are the proa flags
white bebulu bobulo
blue kamo-kamo kamo;
the addition roru is “indigo”
three rangi raange
file romotoha romtoha;
romotoha is Ternatese
ten nyagi mui nyagimoi
yellow guraci kuraci; guraci is “gold”
knife dari cici; dari is Ternatese
The same writer and also Bokemeijer always speak of the island as Tidor. This is a very
different spelling than the native spelling, Todoré, which was later corrupted by the Europeans to
Tidore, the name now commonly used.
14 [p. 76, n. 1] Van der Lith says incorrectly that the natives of the Moluccas tap palm wine from
this palm (1875, p. 410).
15 [p. 76, n. 2] Temminck (1849, III:416) changes the name to Pulu Kwali, since he thinks that the
latter word means “potter”! Of this island, however, it can at least be said that foreigners have given
the correct name.
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