Overview

Timor-Leste is located in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago. The country covers the eastern half of the island of Timor and includes the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco. Timor comes from the Malay word for east and Leste from the Portugese word for east, which means the direct translation for Timor Leste is Eastern-East. The local Tetum dialect name (Timor Lorosa’e) translates to ‘East Rising Sun’. The diverse geography includes mountainous terrain, coastal plains, and tropical forests.

Short History

Timor was first colonised by the Dutch and Portuguese in the 16th century with the two powers signing treaties to apportion the western side of the island to the Dutch and the Eastern side to the Portuguese. By the 18th century, Portugal had formally established a colony on the eastern side of the island which was referred to as Portuguese Timor. In the 19th century the Netherlands established a Dutch East Indies colony on the western part of the island which is now modern-day Indonesia. 

In 1975 the Portuguese government was overthrown which subsequently led to withdrawal from its colonies. After civil armed conflict broke out between the Portuguese colonial police and the East Timorese soldiers, Portuguese authorities fled. On 28 November 1975 Timor-Leste declared independence. Indonesia invaded just 10 days later and annexed the newly formed nation. In 1999, the country (now a province of Indonesia) conducted a referendum with approximately four-fifths of voters voting for independence. East Timor (as it was then known) was reinstated as a sovereign nation under the supervision of the United Nations. There was widespread violence and destruction during the transition, with Indonesian supported militias conducting violent attacks. On 20 May 2002 Timor-Leste formally achieved independence from Indonesia.

For further information on Timor-Leste, see the resources below:

Articles

1. Timor-Leste Country Profile – DFAT
2. Timor-Leste Country Profile – BBC
3. Timor-Leste Articles – The Guardian
4. Timor-Leste – general facts and information – CIA World Factbook
5. Timor-Leste’s Uncertain Future – Lowy Institute

Videos

1. East Timor independence: a short history of a long and brutal struggle – YouTube
2. East Timor History and Culture – East Timor Government

Culture/Demographics

The culture of Timor-Leste is a rich tapestry woven from centuries of influences. Indigenous traditions combined with Portuguese and Southeast Asian elements, shape the cultural identity. Traditional dance and music are integral to Timor-Leste culture, often used to celebrate important events and express community bonds. The nation also embraces Catholicism, a legacy of Portuguese colonisation, with religious ceremonies playing a significant role in the cultural calendar.

Like many Southeast Asian island nations, collectivism underpins the culture of Timor-Leste which sees people put others before themselves and any excess resources generated by and individual or family group is shared with other members of the family or other families. East Timorese feel a strong sense of responsibility to those around them and social events often involve the entire village or community. This collectivist culture forces people to be aware of the social implications of their behaviours, and how they may reflect on their family. The strong sense of family and community also means that the elderly are expected to be cared for within their family. The unified community also provides a reliable support system across the neighbourhood or village.

The population of Timor-Leste is characterised by ethnic diversity. The majority of the people are of Austronesian descent, with distinct ethnic groups such as the Tetum, Mambae, and Kemak. Portuguese and Tetum are the official languages, reflecting historical ties and the struggle for independence. The demographic landscape also bears the imprint of historical challenges, including the violent struggle for independence and the subsequent process of nation-building.

Timor-Leste celebrates a range of cultural festivals that reflect its diverse heritage. The Carnival of Baucau, for example, showcases traditional dance, music, and elaborate costumes. Additionally, Independence Day on May 20th is a significant national celebration, commemorating the country's hard-fought freedom.

For further information on Timor-Leste culture, see the resource below:

Articles

1. East Timor Cultural Atlas
   

National Psyche

The political disruption in the recent history of Timor-Leste has created generational differences in experiences. For those who lived under the occupation of Indonesia, they were forced to move between roadside villages, fleeing to the nearby forests and mountains during periods of conflict. This has led to clear divides between generations as the older generation who were raised under Portuguese rule led the country’s development post-independence, with those raised under Indonesian occupation often left feeling alienated by the older generations. Struggle and suffering during colonisation, occupation and independence is seen as a common component of national identity linking all generations together. Despite this, significant civil disorder was experienced in 2006 where 38 people were killed and more than 100,000 displaced. 

Public Diplomacy

Australia and Timor-Leste have a deep bilateral partnership which includes both political and defence ties. Australia supports Timor-Leste’s armed forces and national police. They also partner on maritime and border security. 

Media and Internet

Less than one percent of Timorese have a telephone land line but almost all of them have a mobile phone. Fixed line and fixed broadband penetration is low, mainly owing to the limited fixed line telecommunication infrastructure within the country. Timor-Leste has three telecommunications service providers which together service 98% of the country’s network users. 

Timor-Leste remains one of the few remaining countries not connected to an international submarine telecommunications cable. Most internet connections are fed from satellite and microwave radio transmission which makes it costly and inaccessible. As a result, internet is used by only around 40% of the nation’s people. In November of 2020, the Government of Timor-Leste approved the deployment of a submarine fibre link connecting the south of the country to Australia via the North-West Cable System. The works for this connection are expected to be completed in the first half of 2024. 

For further information on Timor-Leste’s internet connectivity, see the resource below:

Articles

1. Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable Project
2. Preparing for Digital Transformation in Timor-Leste
3. DXN Secures Cable Station Deal

Timor-Leste has seven television stations, three with nationwide satellite coverage, two terrestrial coverage, and two cable channels. There are 21 radio stations, three of which achieve national coverage. 

International Forums

Timor-Leste is involved in a number of international forums including the Regional Forum of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since 2005, as a special observer of the Pacific Islands Forum since 2002 and a member of the Pacific Islands Development Forum.