Political Sociology of Ternate: A Narrative Review of Power, Culture and Tradition in the Context of Local Democracy

Ternate as a traditional and historical city in North Maluku holds unique political dynamics, where cultural values, sultanate heritage, and local democratic practices intersect in a complex manner. This review aims to examine how narratives of power, cultural symbols, and local traditions are constructed and practiced in the contemporary democratic arena of Ternate. Using the narrative review method, this article classifies and synthesizes 15 categories of findings from various studies reviewed. The main findings show that local power structures are heavily influenced by cultural symbolism such as Jou Se Ngofa Ngare, as well as by practices of identity politics, money politics, and even mysticism. In conclusion, the sustainability of local democracy in Ternate requires the integration of customary values in a deliberative manner into inclusive political policies, while overcoming the fragmentation of power and cultural instrumentality