Indonesia -- Wedding of Ternate Sultan's Son

Ternate Island was a very important power center in Indonesia in the Spice Trading days, as far back as the 1500's. It still has an influential Sultanate today. On 22 December 2012, we had the rare opportunity and privilege to be invited as guests of the Sultan of Ternate to the marriage of his son held at the Palace. The whole-day affair gave us a unique glimpse into the "pomp and circumstance" surrounding the royal court of a Sultan of Indonesia. We felt that we were teleported back to the time when the royal court entertained it's guests with elaborate dance, and food, and ritual ceremony, while it's hierarchy of attendants, all in traditional dress according to their station, flitted around orchestrating the event so that all was perfect. The guests looked splendid dressed in all their finery. The Wedding Couple were dazzlingly attired and so gracious as they received hundreds of well-wishers who passed by their seat of honor. Our many thanks and appreciation to the Sultan, Sultan Hi. Mudafar Syah, and his family for graciously letting us attend this splendid event. We also thank our escort, Rinto Taib. Filmed in December 2012.