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East Timor culture and traditions



Image by David Peterson from Pixabay 
Happy East Timor Independence Restoration Day! I know very little about this fascinating country, so I have been doing some and have picked out ten fun facts I thought I'd share.
  1. According to legend, the island was once a starving crocodile, rescued by a boy after being stranded on a beach. To return the favor, the crocodile allowed the boy to explore the world on his back. Eventually the crocodile died, transmuting into an island where the boy could live with his family.
  2. During extreme droughts some Timorese resort to eating the powder of palm trees. This is known as akar and is extricated by beating the bark of a palm tree.
  3. The most famous writer in Timor Leste is, in fact, the fifth prime minister. Talk about your talents taking you far! Unfortunately, I'm not sure this blog is going to be as successful :(. Xanana Gusmão's books detail the fight for independence as well as Timorese culture (well at least we've got something in common). 
    Photo by Stijn Dijkstra from Pexels
  4. Like folk dancing? Likurai is a traditional folk dance of East Timor, done to the beating of drums while circling the village. Originally performed as warriors returned with the heads of their enemies, it is now usually used by women in courtship. 
  5. Like many cultures, hospitality is a significant part of life. However, guests must wait for the host to start eating before they may begin rather than the other way round. 
  6. Many Timorese are also skilled in crafts. Colorful, detailed cloth made by hand (known as tais) is very popular. Tourists also admire the decorative pots, necklaces, portraits etc.
  7. One traditional Timorese house is called a Fataluku house. 
    Image by Roger King from Pixabay 
  8. These dwellings are on stilts, with thatched rooves. Today, some are simply for display, but some are still occupied, especially in the east.
  9. One popular cultural festival is the Carnival de Timor. The celebration includes a parade, where all participants must dress according to the culture. Dancing and a contest for the best dressed is also involved.
  10. The May Resistance Museum is in a former prison! The prison, known as the Chega, has been converted to educate locals and tourists alike on East Timor's fight for independence. Timor Leste celebrates gaining freedom from Indonesia on the 20th of May after it became a sovereign state on 20th May 2002.
  11. The national languages of East Timor include Portuguese and Tetum. Portugal colonized the country in the 16th century but left after the Portuguese revolution in 1974. Many still speak Portuguese but Tetum is the most common language. Several words in Tetum originate from Portuguese, such as 'bondia' (good morning), which is derived from the Portuguese expression 'Bom dia'. Some other phrases in Tetum are detailed below:
                                Elo = Hello
                                Sin = yes
                                Lae = no
                                Kolisensa = excuse me 


Now for a quick quiz! Let's see how much you can remember! The answers are below.
  1. When did Timor Leste officially become an autonomous state?
  2. What is the name of the island's 5th prime minister?
  3. According to legend, which animal turned into the island?
  4. What is the name of a traditional folk dance in Timor Leste?
  5. How do you say hello in Tetum?

Answers:
  1. 20th May 2002
  2. Xanana Gusmão
  3. Crocodile
  4. Likurai
  5. Elo

Liked this post? Please comment below on what you enjoy about this blog and what you'd like to see more/less of. Your comments are much appreciated!




Sources:
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-culture-of-east-timor.html
https://visiteasttimor.com/see-do/timorese-people-culture/
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/asia/east-timor/food-and-drink/
https://visiteasttimor.com/legend-history-timor-leste/
http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=4567&lang=en
https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/east-timor/east-timor-independence-restoration-day
https://visiteasttimor.com/good-to-know/talk-tetum-in-timor/




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