Majapahit's Spice Routes: Nutmeg, Clove, and the Moluccas

Long before the Dutch East India Company, Majapahit's ships sailed east to the Spice Islands—the Moluccas—to trade for nutmeg, clove, and mace. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how these coveted spices, grown only on a handful of volcanic islands, became the economic fuel of the Majapahit empire. They discuss the logistics of the spice trade, the role of Banda and Ternate, and the diplomatic ties recorded in the Negarakertagama. Was it exploitation or partnership? Lucas unpacks the evidence: pepper from Sumatra, sandalwood from Timor, and the clove monopolies that later drew Europeans. They also touch on the mysterious 'Pasisir' ports and how local chiefs leveraged Majapahit's demand. A story of global desire, local power, and the fragrant seeds that built empires. #Majapahit #SpiceTrade #Moluccas #Nutmeg #Clove #Negarakertagama #Ternate #BandaIslands #Nusantara #SoutheastAsianHistory #History #FexingoHistory #Pasisir #Sandalwood #Pepper #GajahMada #HayamWuruk #MajapahitEconomy #IndonesianHistory #SoutheastAsia Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo