{"id":4049,"date":"2023-09-30T23:06:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T14:06:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/build.timoraid.org\/?page_id=4049"},"modified":"2026-08-10T09:44:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T00:44:40","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/build.timoraid.org\/index.php\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Timor Aid<\/b><\/h4>

Timor Aid is researching and documenting the rich cultural traditions of communities in and around Timor-Leste since more than 20 years. Explore some of our research projects below.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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AFCP Project (2024\u20132026) \u2013 Research and Video Documentation of Uma Lulik in Four Municipalities: Bobonaro (Marobo), Covalima (Uma Dato Babulu), Oe-Cusse (Uma Lulik Na Bobo), and Viqueque (Uma Lulik Bahadanak). <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Uma Lulik (‘Sacred house’) are the most potent symbol of Timor-Leste\u2019s cultural heritage. Uma Lulik, is also called Uma Lisan and Knua. They represent the\u00a0 ancesstry of a Clan that speaks a distinct language with its own cultural traditions. Each Uma Lulik is associated by other natural elements such as Fatuk Lulik (sacred stone), Ai-Lulik (sacred tree) Bee Lulik (sacred water) where rituals are performed for ancestors seeking \u2018\u2019 Matak Malirin\u201d (meaning “the green and the cool” in Tetun) is a metaphorical symbol for peace, prosperity and good health. Uma Lulik are places where sacred ancestral objects are kept, such as Tais (sacred cloths), surik (ritual swords), masks and statues of ancestors, belak (medallions representing the sun and power), kaibauk (head ornaments in the shape of crescent moons or buffalo horns), and mortein (ornamental beads) and other traditional objects are kept. Their display is only permitted under certain circumstances, such as during harvest celebrations, when they are removed by the clan members to whom they belong.<\/p>

Key Characteristics<\/strong><\/p>

Architecture: <\/strong>Typically built on stilts using natural materials like wood, bamboo, and thatch, they feature steeply pitched roofs that often mimic the shape of buffalo horns, birds, representing the ancestors . Designs and styles vary among different ethno-linguistic groups.<\/p>

Cultural Significance: <\/strong>They house sacred heirlooms and are the focal points for ancestral ritual milestones, including births, weddings, and funerals.<\/p>

Rebuilding Cycle: <\/strong>Uma Lulik are usually renovated or rebuilt entirely every five to 10 years. This cycle serves to revitalize family ties, ancestral loyalty, and mutual responsibility.<\/p>

Historical Resilience: <\/strong>Many Uma Lulik were destroyed during wars and colonisation. Since independence in 2002, there has been a significant resurgence and reconstruction of Uma Lulik as a symbol of national and cultural identity.<\/p>

Timor Aid has spent the past two years documenting four Uma Lulik:<\/p>