Foramadiahi

Foramadiahi is a village on Ternate island in North Maluku, Indonesia. It has a prominent role in stories about the formation of the Ternate Kingdom and has a number of historical graves.[1]

The grave of Sultan Babullah in Foramadiahi

Foramadiahi is situated in the southern part of Ternate, 350 meters above sea level, overlooking the old sultan's seat Gam-ma-lamo. According to the historical traditions of Ternate, the oldest center on the island was Tobona further uphill. In the mid-13th century, the Ternatans under a chief called Molé-ma-titi established a second settlement midway between mountain and sea. This was Foramadiahi which offered a good vantage point over the southern coastal section and the islands nearby. Later still, a third settlement was founded at the coast, namely Sampalu (close to the site of Gam-ma-lamo). The third king (kolano) of Ternate, Siale (traditionally dated 1284-1298) abandoned his old capital Tobona for Foramadiahi.[2] Later on the seat of the kolanos (from the late 15th century sultans) was moved to the coast, apparently as a consequence of the increasing inter-regional spice trade. In colonial times Foramadiahi was settled by people from Tidore. However, the site was completely abandoned by the 1970s. It has presently a small population and the status of a keluruhan. Among the graves preserved at the site is one where Sultan Babullah of Ternate was supposedly buried.[3]