It’s not every day you meet a king. And here is the Raja of Saparua, a traditional leadership system known as raja or kepela negeri.

They are Cultural leaders preserving land, tradition and ceremonial events. Keep it quiet in case you know who wants to come and become king of this place too!

We arrived to a traditional welcome dance by the women signifying peace and love to the music of the ukuleles played by the local school children.

Java, the chief spokesperson is behind this, engaging the children so enthusiastically in song.

The island has a bloody history but also one they are immensely proud of. Thomas Maulessy also known as Kaplan Pattimura who was of noble descent led the rebellion against the Dutch colonialists in 1817. He drove them out of Benteng Duurstede, the fort we visited and he was captured and executed later in the year. Very much the local and national hero.

The warriors dance talks of war and resistance though the two girls at the front wore nutmeg and clove representations in their headdresses and they swayed gently while the warriors battled it out in the background.

The star was this little boy who won all the battles with his smile and fervour.