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| fireworks for Independence Day 28 November |
This is the last post on Christmas destinations. We've had fun bringing you different, exotic, unusual places to consider. Today we have chosen East Timor. 28th of November is the public celebration for Independence Day - and so we decided to make this our last “Christmas in” destination.
Timor Leste a predominantly Christian (90% Catholic) country, and so Christmas is a very big important event. Even so, I did have trouble finding Christmas images! As I mentioned earlier, the carnivals and other festivals are more flamboyant. So today is more of a history and a remembering of the way the Timorese has survived, and are creating a new better life for themselves. Fortunately, Adaljia has come to my rescue:
"The majority of Timorese are Christian (Catholic) so the celebration is started with mass in all churches. Normally after mass on chrismast eve on 24th Dec we have christmast an eve dinner. Following day the 25th all family and friends gathering together and they will spend in their house with BBQ and party. At that day on 25th most people go outside to celebrate xmas outdoor and most of them going to the beach to enjoy beautiful beaches in town. I will find some good picture and I will send it to you In summary, if someone want to feel the religious celebration on xmas and then come to Timor-Leste. Our xmas celebration is so different from other part of the world."
And she has kindly sent me some other links you my be interested in:
"My friend from Indonesia wrote the story about her experience with my family here in Dili you can read them here : mykepoprojects.com, which has some great stories, including one about food Food around Dili "
This post is more of a potted history than about all the festivities for Christmas, as I couldn't find many images or much information on this celebration. Independence Day and other festivals are far more visible.
A Prezepiu outside a home
Though still a young and recovering country, East Timor celebrates a number of cultural festivals, including Christian and Islamic celebrations, as well as observances related to the long struggle for independence, finally gained in 2002.
Dili is the Capital, with a population of around 51,000, predonimantly Malay, Polynesian and Papuan descent.
This is especially for my friend Adaljiza – I hope I got it all right Adjiza!
From the 16th century, East Timor was a Portuguese colony known as Portuguese Timor. The rest of the island of Timor, and the other islands that were later to become Indonesia, were colonised by the Dutch between the 17th and 19th centuries, and were known as the Dutch East Indies. Portugal mainly used the Timor as a place to exile those whom the government in Lisbon saw as "problems" - political prisoners as well as ordinary criminals.
In December 1941, Portuguese Timor was occupied by Australian and Dutch forces, which were expecting a Japanese invasion. When the Japanese did occupy Timor, in February 1942, the Allies and Timorese volunteers engaged them in a guerilla campaign. This assistance cost the civilian population dearly: Japanese forces burned many villages and seized food supplies. The Japanese occupation resulted in the deaths of 40,000-70,000 Timorese.
Portuguese Timor was handed back to Portugal after the war, but Portugal continued to neglect the colony. Very little investment was made in infrastructure, education and healthcare. Only a small minority of Timorese were educated, and even fewer went on to university. Mortality was high, especially children. During this time, Indonesia did not express any interest in Portuguese Timor.
However, after the fall of the Portuguese fascist regime in 1974, independence was encouraged by the new, democratic Portuguese government. One of the first acts of the new government in Lisbon was to appoint a new Governor for the colony who also became the last Governor of Portuguese Timor, when the Indonesian government seized control.
Between 1974 and 2000, the Timorese were subjected to some horrific treatment.at the hands of the Indonesians, with more than 20% of the population (around 800,000) losing their lives.
NZ troops and Santa bringing Christmas cheer
Scuba Santa!
Finally, East Timor became formally independent on May 20, 2002. East Timor became a member of the UN on September 27, 2002. New Zealand has played a large part in peacekeeping in East Timor since the 1990's. My nephew was a member of the peace keeping troops.
My friend Adaljiza is part of the government intent on creating a peaceful, educated, employed population. However, all is not calm and bright this Christmas. Australia is now flexing its arm, mostly because of the potential oil availability, I believe. And there's issues over spying...but enough of that.
Dili Cathedral
Dili Rice fields
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