Database of Southeast Asian Sociocultural Information

Timorese traditions and ceremonies are mostly involved with Christianity and its Independence Day. Nowadays, folk traditions are also seen.The traditions related to nature, for example, are performed to express their willingness in protecting their abundant natural resources. Despite the fact that those resources were largely burned down by Indonesian force during 1975-1999, a tradition called Tara Bandu is still carried out to protect a natural water source that has been a vein for people in Uato-Carbau. It takes 3 days to perform a ceremony. Buffalo meat in their village is a sacrifice to a holy spirit. It is believed that once the ceremony is carried out, all natural water sources in the village will be filled with any kind of aquatic animals. However, though fishing equipment is what any local has at home, it is forbidden to use fishing equipment for larger fish. It is an agreement made by everyone in the village. If violated, one must be punished not only by rule of the village, but also superstitious power born out of Tara Bandu ceremony (Janak Rogers, 2015).

Besides, superstitious ceremonies and beliefs, Timorese has other festive events such as Independence Day Anniversary, Liberation Day, National Day and Nation’s Hero Day to remembertheir significant turns.

The latest celebration took place in 2005 when it marked the 40^th anniversary of Timorese liberation from Portugal in 1975. And after that, they had to fight with Indonesia force for another 24 years.The nation’s leader, politicians and people joined this celebration to witness an army marching and raise the flag with their National Anthem playing. Those colors appeared on the flag represent different meanings. Red signifies a fight for liberation, yellow for the colonial days, and black for the obstacles for prosperity and knowledge providing. The white star means the future and happiness of Timorese (เฉลิมฉลอง 40 ปี เอกราช "ติมอร์ เลสเต", 2015).

Celebration on important days is always held on these 4 days: Liberation Day, National Day, Nation’s Hero Day and Nation’s Youth Day. Liberation Day is held on 20 May of each year. The government declares a national holiday with a celebration all around the city. Sports competition and parades also feature activities for people to join, so that they remember that the state gained its sovereignty back from United Nation in 2002 (สุภาค์พรรณ ตั้งตรงไพโรจน์, 2016).

Timorese National Day takes place on 28^th November of each year to remember the liberation from Portugal in November 28, 1975, though, later, Timorese had to fight with Indonesian force for another 24 years.

Nation’s Hero Day is on 7^th December of each year. It is held to remember the incident in which Indonesia sent troops to occupy Timor after it had been granted Independence from Portugal just for a week (สุภาค์พรรณ ตั้งตรงไพโรจน์, 2016).

Nation’s Youth Day takes place on 12^th November of each year to remember the massacre at Santa Cruz Cemetery. Most of the people joining the rally were the young who demanded for Timorese independence, but, sadly, they were put down by Indonesian force. This shooting incident killed 500 people in 1991(สิทธา เลิศไพบูลย์ศิริ และ อรพรรณ ลีนะนิธิกุล,ผู้แปล, 2555: 17).