ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the early precolonial history of the Banda Islands in the Moluccas, Maluku centering on indigenous narratives from the Hikayat Lonthoir and oral traditions preserved by the Banda Asli community. It traces the origins of the islands, local myths, and the precolonial trade networks that connected Banda to Java, China, and the Middle East through the Spice Road. This chapter highlights the Bandanese people’s role as key figures in the spice trade, emphasizing their local agency in historical events. By interweaving indigenous oral histories with European colonial accounts, this chapter presents a polyvocal perspective, offering a more inclusive historical narrative.
