Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is known for tais weaving, sacred uma lulik houses, the tara bandu customary law and palm-wine making.

Textile & dress Building & habitat Spirituality & rites Food & cooking

Knowledge in this place

Tais weaving

Tais weaving

Weaving cotton bands with regional motifs on a backstrap loom for ceremonial wraps and gifts.

Textile & dress

Uma lulik sacred house

Uma lulik sacred house

Raising a thatched ancestral house on carved posts to hold a clan's sacred objects.

Building & habitat

Tara bandu customary law

Tara bandu customary law

A ritual ban set by the community to protect forests, water or crops, sealed by an oath and offering.

Spirituality & rites

Palm wine making

Palm wine making

Tapping the flower stalk of palms for sap that ferments into a fresh drink or is distilled.