Country of Study:Timor-Leste

Our Unique Neighbour

Map modified by Canley based on a map from the US CIA. Used with Permission

Timor-LesTe

of whom 50% are under 18 years of age, and 62% under 24. It is estimated that the population will quadruple by 2050. There are a number of distinct ethnic groups, most of whom are of mixed Malayo-Polynesian descent and Melanesian/ Papuan stock. There is a small population of mixed Timorese and Portuguese origin. 75% live in small villages in traditional housing made from bush materials and growing their own food. In towns people live in western style housing. Health and Life Expectancy: At birth: males 64, female 69 (2009). Under-nutrition in children is an acute problem with 4 in 5 households not having enough food for at least 2 months of the year. Malaria and TB affect a large segment of the population. Total Area: 15,007 sq monly slightly larger than the area of Sydney which is 12,000 sq m

Timor-Leste is a unique country and one of our closest neighbours. It lies less than 400 km north of Western Australia, separated from Australia by the Timor Sea. It is the eastern part of Timor, an island in the Indonesian archipelago that lies between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Timor-Leste includes the enclave of Oecussi, which is surrounded by West Timor (Indonesia), and the islands of Atauro and Jaco. Colonised by Portugal for 450 years until 1975 when it was abandoned by that country, it was then invaded by Indonesia. A bloody conflict followed for 25 years until following United Nations intervention peace was restored. On 20 May 2002 Timor-Leste became independent. Official Name: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Motto: Unidade, Accao, ProgressoUnity, Action, Progress Capital: Dilithis is the only city in the country and has a population of 150,000 (2008). It is the chief port and commercial centre. Baucau is the only other large urban settlement. Population: 1,134,000 (2009)

Landforms: Mountainous central spine with highest point being Mt Ramelau at 2963 metres, and coastal plains. Timor is part of the Australian continental shelf. There are a number of coral reefs off the northern coast. Climate: Tropical: hot, humid, distinct wet and Sea Horse off the coast of Timordry seasons. Rainfall Leste. Photo by Nick Hobgood is sporadic making agriculture difficult and causing food and water shortages especially in the dry season. Natural Resources: gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble Natural hazards: floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis and tropical cyclones Environmental Issues: Widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion. In urban areas pollution and waste is a problem. Government: The Head of State, a largely symbolic office, is the President who is elected by popular vote for a 5 year term. Following election, the President appoints the Prime Minister who is the leader of the majority party. As Head of Government, the Prime Minister presides over the Council of State or Cabinet. The National

Market at Maliana. Photo by Elizabeth Teather

The Country Woman February 2012 Page 9

Photo by Christoph Grandt

Parliament is unicameral and members are elected for 5 year terms. The number of seats can vary from 52 to 65. In the first elections 22 women won seats. There are 13 administrative districts. The Constitution is modelled on that of Portugal.

In the modern era, Timorese music has been closely associated with the independence movement. A song of the band Dili All Stars, became an anthem in the buildup to the referendum on independence in 2000. The UN commissioned a song Hakotu Ba to encourage people to register to vote in the referendum. Musicians include Teo Batiste Ximenes. Basket weaving, pottery and wood carving are important crafts. Women weave tais using distinctive designs and techniques to represent their stories, records and beliefs. Tais are long fringed strips for use as shawls, tablecloths, baby slings, blankets or scarves. Food: Rice is a staple food. As well, maize, Woman weaving tais in her backyard in Suai. Photo by Elizabeth Teather cassava, sweet potatoes, and taro are grown. Other vegetables are beans, cabbages, cowpeas, spinach and onions. Poultry, pigs and goats are kept. Fish supplements the diet. Spices are used in a number of recipes. Fruits include bananas, coconuts, mangoes, papayas, and water melons, and a number of unusual tropical fruits. The cuisines of China, Indonesia and Portugal are major influences.

Language: Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages. Indonesian and English have the status of working languages. There are 16 indigenous languages. National Flag: The yellow of the flag represents the traces of colonialism, the black represents the difficulties that need to be overcome, the red is the struggle for national liberation and the white represents peace. The white star means the light that guides. National Anthem: PatriaComposed 1975. Adopted as National Anthem 2002. Fatherland, fatherland, East Timor our Nation Glory to the people and to the heroes of our liberation Fatherland, fatherland, East Timor our Nation Glory to the people and to the heroes of our liberation We vanquish imperialism! colonialism, we cry: down with

Free land, free people, no, no to exploitation. Let us go forward, united, firm and determined In the struggle against imperialism, the enemy of people, until final victory, onward to revolution. Currency: US Dollar/centavo coins Religion: 90% Catholic, 3% Protestant, 4% Muslim Culture: There are numerous influences including Portuguese, Roman Catholic and Malay, on the indigenous Austronesian culture. Literacy levels are low with 54% of adults being illiterate, 78% of whom come from agricultural areas. However, there is a strong tradition of poetry. Xanana Gusmao, the first President, is also a poet and painter. Other important writers are: Fernando Sylvan, Francisco Rice padi, looking east from Manatuto on the Borja de Costa, north coast. Photo by Liz Teather Ruy Cinatti and Fitun Fuik. Most widespread form of native folk music was likurai dance performed by women to welcome men home from war. A modern version is used by women in courtship. Page 10 February 2012 The Country Woman

Photo by yeowatzup

Beach in Baucau. Photo by Christoph Grandt

Economy: GDP (PPP) (2011 estimate) $709m ($648 per capita); per sector: Agriculture 32.2% (subsistence agriculture, fishing and forestry employs 70% of labour force), Industry 12.8%, Services 55% Prior to and during colonization, Timor was best known for its sandalwood. In late 1999, about 70% of the economic structure was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independent militia, and 260,000 people fled westwood. Over the next 3 years, a massive internal program led by the UN manned by civilian advisers, 5000 peacekeepers and 1300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction of both urban and rural areas. By mid 2002 all but about 50,000 people had returned.

The country faces great challenges in continuing the rebuilding of infrastructure and the strengthening of civil administration. One promising long term project is the joint development with Australia of petroleum and natural gas resources in the south-eastern waters between Timor and Australia, following the signing of the Timor Sea Treaty. The Treaty creates one Joint Petroleum Development Area with East Timor getting 90% and Australia 10% of revenue from the area. It is estimated that there is 9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the area which is expected to last for 30 years. Major industries are the production of coffee, rice, maize, logging, fishing, spices, coconuts and cakoa. Labour is the second largest export after coffee. Inward remittances by migrant workers account for 1.4% (US$4.984m) of 2006 non-oil GDP (estimated Roasted coffee, Dili, ready for export. at US$356m). Coffee, sandalwood and marble Photo by Liz Teather. exports totalled $10m in 2005. Food, gasoline, kerosene and machinery imports totalled $202m in 2005. Timor-Leste relies heavily on foreign aid. Timeline: Up to 1 million years ago: Timor may have been home to Homo erectus, early hominoids, related to Java Man 13,000 years ago: Austronesian peoples of Asia migrated throughout the eastern islands 2000 BC: agriculture introduced 13th century: Chinese and Javanese traders visit in search of sandalwood (prized for its aroma and medicinal santalol made from the oil) and beeswax 14th century: Tetun people immigrate to Timor, possibly from Malay Peninsula 150911: First visits by the Portuguese 1556: First Portuguese settlement established at Lifau in present-day Oecussi by Dominican friars to convert Timorese to Catholicism and hopefully to keep out the Dutch. 1653: Dutch establish a base at Kupang on western end of Timor 1705: The Topasses drive out the Portuguese governor 1749: The Topasses march on Kupang but are defeated by the Dutch 1769: Portuguese colonial headquarters move to Dili 1815: Coffee introduced as a cash crop 1859: Treaty of Lisbon divides Timor between the Dutch and the Portuguese 191915: Portuguese take control of interior 1941: Australian Commando Force sent into Portuguese

Timor 1942: Japanese bomb and then land on Timor 1943: Australian Force evacuated from Timor 1945: World War II ends, Japanese depart and Portuguese return 1974: Carnation Revolution overthrows military rule in Portugal. Portuguese colonies abandoned. 1975: Brief civil war. Fretlin defeats UDT. Indonesia invades Timor. Fretlin retreats to the hills.

Baucau Beach, Baucau. Photo by Sofia Torro

1976: East Timor declared 27th province of Indonesia. 1992: Fretlin guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao captured by Indonesians. 1996: Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Hose Ramos-Horta and Bishop Carlos Belo. 1999: Indonesia agrees to referendum on autonomy of East Timor. Vote overwhelmingly is for independence. Intense fighting breaks out. UN forces restore peace. 2002: East Timor becomes independent nation. Xanana Gusmao elected first President, Mari Alkatiri becomes first Prime Minister Suggested Reading: The Redundancy of Courage by Timothy Mo, The Crossing by Luis Cardoso, An Empire of the East by Norman Lewis, East Timora Lonely Planet Guide by Tony Wheeler, TimorA Nation Reborn by Bill Nicol, East Timor: A Rough Passage to Independence by James Dunn, Deliverance by Don Greenless and Robert Garran, East Timor: Island in Turmoil by Taro McGuinn, A Dirty Little War by John Martinkus, To Resist to Win by Sarah Niner The courage, resilience and determination of the Timorese people in
Tokay Gecko in Dare (near Dili) Photo by Nick Hobgood

The Country Woman February 2012 Page 11

achieving freedom and independence touched the hearts of many around the world. Today Timor-Leste faces many social, economic and environmental challenges that are so often the legacy of conflict. The 2012 Country of Study is a special opportunity for us to study and open our hearts to our unique neighbour.

Sewing points: neatness of neck and armholes, finish of sleeves and hems, pleats facing the right direction, buttons on the correct side. Group International Officers to arrange judging of Branch entries by a qualified judge (often a Handicraft judge). Dolls to be judged as follows: * Authenticity 50 marks * Workmanship 30 marks * General appeal 20 marks

International Primary School Book Competition

This competition is open to all Primary School students (as individuals or as a school). The competition is particularly suitable for one or two teacher schools.

International Doll Competition

Conditions of Entry No entry fee. Pictorial or written reference MUST accompany the doll. Doll must be dressed by a member or members. Doll sizemaximum height 35cms (excluding hat) When dolls are being judged, it is important to note, the costume is the part being judged, not the doll. Winning doll at State level to become property of the Association. Branch and Group name to be sewn on undergarment and the doll stand to be clearly marked with Branch and Group name. Winning Group doll to be mailed or delivered to Head Office no later than the end of February 2013. First, second and third place getters will be announced during the State International Meeting at State Conference. All Group dolls to be displayed at State Conference. Group Officers to arrange for collection of dolls during last morning of State Conference. Dolls to be signed for when picked up. General Guidelines and Judging Criteria Information on National costumes may be obtained from most libraries, or the State Library in Sydney. Pictorial or written reference MUST accompany the doll. Clothing does not have to be removable but underwear is included in the judging. Clothing need not be all handmade, but must be hand finished. It is easier, because of the small size, to sew by hand. Shoes which come with dolls are rarely suitable for National Costume, so shoes should be handmade. Stockings can be knitted or made from old stockings.

Book size: A4, maximum 20 single sided pagesTable of Contents and Bibliography count as page. Allocation of Marks: 5 Table of Contents & Bibliography 10 CoverShould include title, arouse interest and be attractive 5 SpellingCheck if uncertain to any spelling 15 Presentationincludes neatness, setting out of information in whole book and page, balance between information and illustrations, use of margins, general effect, and variety in presentation. 20 Historymain government events, important people,

20 Geographygeneral information, capital and large cities, important rivers, mountains, agriculture, fauna and flora 25 Cultureeducation, dress, food, customs, festivals. Language, arts, music literature, religions, role of women and girls Students are free to include any other aspects they have discovered. Originality will receive extra marks in any section. Some advice for students: Allocate your space to carefully cover all sections Be selective about informationdo not pack in too much and make sure it is up to date. Use your own words. Do not copy slabs of information from the internet, encyclopaedias, etc Do not over use illustrations. Label all photographs, drawings or illustrations. Use a variety of sources, not just one or two. Group International Officers are to arrange the judging of the books. The winning book from each Group is to be mailed to the State International Officer no later than 30th September 2012 so the winner may be advised prior to the end of the school year.

Page 12 February 2012 The Country Woman

Please note that Branches choose their best entry for Group; Group then chooses its best entry for Stateso there is only one entry per group at state level, no matter how many originally entered the original competition. 1st prize for a winning individual child is $20 with $100 going to the childs school. If the entry is from a school, the prize to the school is $120.

International Needle Craft Depicting Country of Study Competition

1. A piece of needlecraft of any technique using a needle. 2. Exhibit must be the work of a financial CWA member. 3. One entry per Group. Group International Officers to arrange judging of Branch entries by a qualified Judge (usually a Handicraft Judge). 4. Exhibit must be recognisable as depicting the Country of StudyPictorial or written reference must accompany the exhibit. 5. Maximum size, including frame, is 30cm x 30cm. (A frame is not necessary.) 6. Winning Group exhibit to be mailed or delivered to Head Office by end of February 2013. 7. First, Second and Third place getters to be announced during the State International Meeting at State Conference. 8. Prizes: 1st$30; 2nd$20; 3rd$10. 9. All Group winners to be displayed at State Conference. 10.Group International Officers to arrange for collection of Exhibits during last morning of State Conference. Exhibits to be signed for when picked up.

November 2012. If mailed it must be to the Officers home address. First, Second and Third Prize Winners will be announced at the State International Meeting during State Conference. All Group Books will be displayed at State Conference. Group International Officers to arrange collection of Books during the last morning of Conference. Books to be signed for when picked up. The Prize for the first two placegetters is: Free registration and accommodation at the UNE Study School, Armidale the following year for either the member who compiled the book, or for a nominated member, if it was a Branch effort.

Judging Criteria And Guidelines NoteWrite Branch and Group name on the last page or inside the back cover. Cover Design Contents listed by page numbers at front of book and/or Index (listed alphabetically at back of book): Bibliography including area, population, major cities and towns, topography, climate, flora and fauna. including agriculture, industry, tourism, natural resources, transport, housing, etc. including language, education, religion, literature, art, architecture, music, performing arts, crafts, women and family life, cuisine, traditional festivals and customs, fashion etc 10 5

Government Geography Economy History Culture

5 15 15 15 25

International Book Competition

Conditions of EntryNo entry fee Books on the Country of Study to be compiled by a member or members and they may be done collectively or individually. Books can be of any type, e.g. art, sketch, project, displaywhatever is most suitable and/or available. The maximum size of the page is A3 (42 X 30 cm); the cover may be marginally larger. The book must contain no more than 20 leaves (that is, 40 pages), including the pages for Table of Contents and Bibliography. The book is more than a scrapbook. Newsprint, typing, handwriting, drawings and all forms of pictorial representation using any medium can be used. The book will be judged on Content (including the currency of content) and on Presentation. Group International Officers to arrange the judging of Branch Books. Winning Group Book to be mailed or delivered to the State International Officer no later than 30th

General Presentation TOTAL

10 100

Great to play at your International Day

$ 12.00 CD (includes postage). If interested please contact Wendy Evans on 02 9315 7483 Many thanks, CWA Western Suburbs.

The Country Woman February 2012 Page 13