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CHAPTER 4 Ninuk Kleden Probonegoro

Melanesian Languages in North Maluku, Indonesia

Introduction
This essay is based on a language approach, though not to deny the importance of
historical, socio-economic, political and local cultural factors, which together contributed
to the formation of language there. Firstly, the northern Maluku region will be described,
both its administration and language followed by a brief explanation of Melanesia as well
as linguistic issues that arise from the convergence of the two regions.

North Maluku
The North Maluku region has changed its administration several times. During the New
Order era, Moloku Kie Raha, namely the unity of the Sultanate Bacan, Jailolo, Tidore and
Ternate, was divided into two districts, namely the North Maluku district with Ternate as
its capital and the Central Halmahera district with Soa Siao as its capital, as well as the
administrative city, namely Ternate city with Ternate as its capital. Then, based on Law
No. 46 year 1999, the North Maluku district was transformed into North Maluku province
on October 12, 1991 with Ternate as its capital, and then on August 4, 2010, the capital
was moved from Ternate to Sofiri which is located on Halmahera Island. North Maluku
Province oversees seven districts and in its development the province is experiencing
some expansion. At the present time, the North Maluku Province has 10 districts, namely
West Halmahera district (Jailolo), Central Halmahera (Weda), North Halmahera (Tobelo),
South Halmahera (Labuha), East Halmahera (Moba), Sula district (Sanana), Morotai
districts (Daruba), Taliabu district (Bobong), Temate city (Ternate). and Tidore Islands
(Soa Siu), with its capital Sofifi. The map below shows selected areas of North Maluku.

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