On that particular afternoon two weeks ago, the Kedaton (palace courtyard) square of the Ternate Sultanate, North Halmahera, was filled with students wearing yellow robes with head scarves. Though wearing traditional costumes, they were not performing a ritual. They swept and scrubbed the area, lifting furniture to keep the Kedaton spick and span ahead of the Ramadan fasting month. They seemed familiar with every nook and cranny there. No wonder.