Aru Islands

The Aru Islands are a group of islands located in the Arafura Sea, within the Maluku Province of Indonesia. This archipelago forms part of the larger group of islands known as the Maluku Islands or Moluccas, situated between the eastern Indonesian islands of New Guinea and the Kei Islands. The Aru Islands are known for their rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems, indigenous cultures, and historical significance as a former trading hub in the eastern Indonesian archipelago.

Geographical Setting

The Aru Islands lie roughly 190 kilometres south of New Guinea and about 650 kilometres southeast of Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku. The group consists of about 95 low-lying islands, the largest of which are Tanahbesar (Wokam), Kobroor, Maikoor, Trangan, and Kola. These main islands are separated by narrow channels and shallow seas, creating an intricate maze of waterways, lagoons, and mangrove swamps.
The islands are largely flat and swampy, with no major mountains. The highest elevations reach only around 250 metres. Much of the land is covered by tropical rainforests, sago palms, and coastal mangroves. The region’s climate is tropical monsoonal, characterised by a wet season from November to May and a dry season from June to October. Temperatures remain warm year-round, averaging between 25°C and 30°C, with high humidity.

Historical Background

Historically, the Aru Islands have been inhabited for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence suggesting early settlement and trading activity linked to the Papuan and Austronesian peoples. By the 16th and 17th centuries, the islands became known to European traders and explorers, particularly the Portuguese and Dutch, who sought control of the lucrative spice trade in the region.
During the colonial period, the islands came under Dutch East India Company (VOC) influence and later became part of the Dutch East Indies. Although the Aru Islands did not produce major spices like cloves or nutmeg, they served as a crucial trading point for natural products such as pearls, tortoiseshell, bird of paradise plumes, trepang (sea cucumber), and timber. These goods were exchanged with merchants from New Guinea, the Moluccas, and Southeast Asia.
The famous British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace visited the Aru Islands in 1857 as part of his scientific explorations in the Malay Archipelago. His observations of the region’s flora and fauna contributed significantly to his theory of evolution by natural selection, developed independently of Charles Darwin. Wallace’s writings provide one of the earliest detailed Western descriptions of the islands and their biodiversity.

People and Culture

The inhabitants of the Aru Islands are collectively known as the Aruese or Aruans. The population is ethnically diverse, with influences from Austronesian and Papuan ancestry. The main language spoken is Aruese, although Indonesian is widely used in education, government, and commerce.
A large portion of the population practices Christianity, a legacy of Dutch missionary activity, while some communities follow Islam or traditional animist beliefs. Traditional customs and kinship systems remain deeply rooted, especially in rural areas.
The local economy is primarily subsistence-based, relying on fishing, hunting, and small-scale agriculture. Sago, a starch derived from the pith of the sago palm, forms the staple food, while coconuts, bananas, and tubers are common crops. In coastal areas, many families are engaged in collecting and trading pearls, trepang, and mother-of-pearl shells.

Ecology and Biodiversity

The Aru Islands are renowned for their rich biodiversity and ecological significance. The islands’ natural habitats include tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, which support a wide array of plant and animal life.
Flora and fauna exhibit both Australian and Asian biogeographical characteristics, reflecting the islands’ position along the Wallace Line, the transitional zone between the Asian and Australasian biogeographic regions. This gives rise to unique species assemblages not found elsewhere in Indonesia.
Notable species found in the Aru Islands include:

• Birds of paradise, such as the Greater Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea apoda) and King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius).
• Marsupials, including the tree kangaroo and cuscus.
• Reptiles and amphibians adapted to wetland environments.
• Marine life such as dugongs, sea turtles, and numerous coral species.

Due to their ecological importance, parts of the Aru Islands are designated as protected areas to conserve biodiversity and prevent overexploitation of marine and forest resources. However, illegal logging, overfishing, and habitat loss remain ongoing concerns.

Economic Activities

The economy of the Aru Islands is relatively modest and underdeveloped compared to western Indonesia. Key economic activities include:

• Fishing and marine collection: Harvesting sea cucumbers, trochus shells, pearls, and fish for export.
• Forestry: Small-scale logging and timber collection, though regulated by the government.
• Agriculture: Cultivation of coconuts, sago, and small garden crops for local consumption.
• Trade: Traditional barter trade still exists between the Aruese and neighbouring Papuan communities.

In recent years, there has been a gradual push toward developing sustainable eco-tourism to leverage the islands’ pristine natural environment and cultural heritage.

Governance and Administration

Administratively, the Aru Islands form the Aru Islands Regency (Kabupaten Kepulauan Aru), one of the regencies within Maluku Province. The capital and main town is Dobo, located on the island of Wamar. Dobo serves as the commercial and administrative centre, hosting local government offices, markets, and transport connections.
The regency is divided into several districts (kecamatan), each comprising smaller villages (desa). The local government focuses on improving infrastructure, education, and healthcare, though accessibility remains limited due to the islands’ dispersed geography.

Transportation and Connectivity

The Aru Islands are relatively isolated, with limited transport infrastructure. Dobo has a small airport, Rar Gwamar Airport, offering flights to Ambon and other regional centres. Sea transport remains the primary mode of inter-island travel, with ferries and small boats connecting the islands and providing trade routes to Ambon and Papua.
Communication and internet facilities are improving, but many rural areas still face connectivity challenges.

Contemporary Issues

Modern challenges facing the Aru Islands include:

• Environmental degradation from unsustainable logging and overfishing.
• Limited access to education and healthcare due to geographical remoteness.
• Economic dependency on small-scale natural resource extraction.
• Land and resource disputes, particularly involving indigenous rights and conservation projects.

In 2014, local communities successfully protested against large-scale plantation projects that threatened forest ecosystems, marking a significant example of indigenous resistance to external exploitation.

Significance and Outlook

The Aru Islands hold immense ecological, cultural, and historical importance. They serve as a living laboratory for studying biodiversity, biogeography, and traditional ways of life. As Indonesia continues to promote regional development, the preservation of the Aru Islands’ environment and cultural identity remains a key priority.