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The Spice Roads: A revitalized taste of trade, culture and history
Although it has yet to be clinically tested, some experts recommend the consumption of certain spices that may produce immunomodulators, substances that help regulate or normalize the immune system
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Although it has yet to be clinically tested, some experts recommend the consumption of certain spices that may produce immunomodulators, substances that help regulate or normalize the immune system.
Molecular biology expert Chaerul Anwar Nidom of Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java said 'curcumin', which can be found in turmeric, ginger and cinnamon, could help cure infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
As it is not scientifically proven, it’s not difficult to brush off the claim, but in a society where spices have formed a part of everyday life for generations, people may be inclined to believe it.
Kompas reported that the sales of mixed spices known as empon-empon, usually used as seasonings or to brew a herbal tonic drink, had doubled at wet markets over the past week as people bought large bags of the blends.
The news outlet also reported on Friday that the price of jamu (traditional herbal drink) had also seen an increase due to the high demand for its constituent ingredients.
The Indonesian archipelago has been known throughout history for its wealth of spices, including nutmeg, cloves, ginger, pepper and cinnamon, carried to the world by its sailors.
Their healing properties, distinctive tastes and aromas and benefits caused the spices to be sought after worldwide. The trade routes were known by many names, such as the Spice Trails, the Spice Routes or the Maritime Silk Roads.
“We prefer the name Spice Roads to distinguish it from the Silk Roads and to emphasize the large scale of the trading web of which silk trading was only a part,” said Ananto Kusuma Seta, chair of the Karavan Budaya (Culture Caravan) program, in a recent interview.
The program, initiated by the Education and Culture Ministry’s Culture Directorate General and the Negeri Rempah Foundation, collects historical data to support the government’s effort to get the story of the spice trade recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
“It should be treated as a collective goal set out for the long term to make it sustainable, memorable and impactful,” said Ananto on the sidelines of a forum on the Spice Roads.
In the discussion, held on Feb. 21, former top diplomat Hassan Wirajuda, who chairs the supervisory board of the Negeri Rempah Foundation, said there was evidence of the influence of the past kingdoms in the archipelago.
“As Indonesia is projected to become the fourth biggest economy in 2050 after China, India and the United States, it is time for us to promote international cooperation on cultural dimension,” he added.
Culture Director General Hilmar Farid said the program resulted from an intensive discussion over the past few years about finding a thread to tie the diverse cultures of the nation together.
“It’s not about archiving the spices per se, but more about the exchange of ideas, knowledge and civilizations,” he told participants, who included members of the pharmaceutical, food and beverage and fashion industries, as well as the media.
“Indonesia is the product of exchanges. The Spice Roads are our history, and they have a lot of dimensions that have become the identity of our nation,” Hilmar said.
The forum served as the first stage of an itinerary that will include a string of activities and initiatives, including a sea voyage to 21 ports of the historical spice trade by Indonesian Navy vessels Dewa Ruci and Bima Sakti starting in August this year.
The idea of obtaining world recognition for the Spice Roads was initiated by The Jakarta Post’s Indonesian Museum Foundation in 2015. In collaboration with other media companies and a production house, there was an expedition to the spice suppliers of Indonesia.
While there were similar efforts organized by different communities that sought to highlight the archipelago’s history, Indonesia should not stop at simply romanticizing the past glory, said Ananto.
“Indonesia was once the world maritime axis and the center of the spice trade, playing a vital role in shaping the world and propelling globalization forward. But we don’t have the intention to conquer the world today and instead will bring the warm flavor of spices to the world,” he said.
“By focusing on the cultural-based economy, we will not be affected by the automatization of modern industry to survive the future.” (ste)
