Logo of the cycle "Let's Turn Around the World" (2019) by Laura LimónOriginal Source: Museo Nacional de Antropología
At the National Museum of Anthropology we are repeating Magellan's voyage during the V Centenary of the First Round the World Voyage (2019-2022), stopping to learn about the current situation of some of the territories through which the expedition passed.
The Spice Islands
In this sixth stop of the cycle we delve into the knowledge of oriental spices, which were one of the great engines for opening trade routes since ancient times, as well as the main objective of the First Magellan-Elcano trip around the world.
General view of the exhibition "Destination Moluccas. The Spice Route" (2022)Museo Nacional de Antropología, Madrid
Place of exchange and production
The Moluccas Islands, also known as the Spice Islands, were considered a key point of commercial exchange for these seasonings, as well as the place of origin of two of them: clove and nutmeg.
Cinnamon (1819)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
The first Spice Routes
Different ancient peoples (Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Macedonians, Romans, among others) settled trade routes to get hold of oriental spices. These routes allowed to connect East and West through the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.
Sesame (1880-1883)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
Different intermediaries
Many agents were involved in the spice trade: Byzantines, Sassanids, Arabs, Venetian merchants such as Marco Polo, etc. However, the intervention of different intermediaries increased the price of these products enormously.
Pepper (1832)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
The search for new routes
In the 15th century, European merchants were expelled from the Eastern Mediterranean due to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. This forced the search for new and longer routes to Asia, an expansionist concern that was leaded by the kingdoms of Portugal and Castilla.
Nutmeg (1818)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
Portuguese expeditions
The Portuguese proposed circumnavigate Africa to open a routetowards the East. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias reached the Cape of Good Hope and, in 1498, Vasco da Gama arrived India.
Ginger (1880-1883)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
Castilian expeditions
In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed west to reach the Spice Islands from the other side of the world, but he did not expect to find another continent: America. As a consequence, Portugal and Castile signed the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494).
Turmeric (1765)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
The first round-the-world trip
On November 7, 1521, the expedition reached the long-awaited Moluccas Islands, its main objective as it was one of the production sites of such coveted and valuable condiments.
Clove (1827)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
The controversy for the Moluccas Islands
Portuguese and Castilians established factories in the Moluccas and competed for commercial control of the spices. This rivalry was resolved in the Treaty of Zaragoza (1529), according to which the islands remained in Portuguese hands in exchange for 350,000 gold ducats.
Cardamom (1737-1739)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
Dutch colonial rule
In the 17th century, the Portuguese lost the commercial monopoly in favor of the Dutch East India Company, which would maintain it until the middle of the 20th century.
But what are spices?
The spices are fragrant botanical substances got from different parts of the plants: bark, seed, root, pod, flower, leaf and fruit. Their variety of uses made them highly appreciated by cultures over time.
Spices quiz (2022)Museo Nacional de Antropología, Madrid
The uses of spices
Among its main uses are: to hide the taste of poorly preserved foods, to provide new flavors, to serve as medicinal, pharmacological, cosmetic and aromatic components, in addition to its value as a sign of social prestige and a means of payment.
Nutmeg (1827)Original Source: Real Jardín Botánico
The Moluccas Islands
They constitute an Indonesian archipelago consisting of about 1000 islands and some 2.1 million inhabitants of great ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversity. They are located in one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.
Spice jars, botanical illustrations and spice recipes (2022)Museo Nacional de Antropología, Madrid
The Moluccan economy
The introduction and cultivation of spices in other territories, including those originating in the Moluccas, has caused the islands today to revolve around other sources of wealth such as fishing and the wood and mining industries.
General view of the exhibition "Destination Moluccas. The Spice Route" (2022)Museo Nacional de Antropología, Madrid
Recent troubles
In recent decades, the Moluccas have faced different problems: the Transmigration Program with social, political and environmental consequences, the Asian crisis of the 1990s and serious religious conflicts at the beginning of the 20th century.
Logo of the cycle "Let's Turn Around the World" (2019) by Laura LimónOriginal Source: Museo Nacional de Antropología
Do you want to know the other stops of the cycle?
The Let's turn around the world cycle is made up of the following exhibitions:
1. Rio somos nós!
2. Strait of Magellan: The Water Border
3. Plastic in sight!
4. BIBA CHAMORU: Culture and identity in Mariana Islands
An exhibition organized by Museo Nacional de Antropología and Real Jardín Botánico.
