Boano was an island in front of the coast of Hoamoal (Western Seram), and stood under control of the kimelaha, the ruler of Hoamoal with whom the VOC was periodically in conflict. It produced very little cloves, but still regularly came into conflict with the VOC because of the raids that the inhabitants organised on VOC-controlled areas. During the Great Ambon War (1651-1656), the VOC, making use of military force as well as existing political rivalry in the island, managed to bring it to the side of the VOC.
