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Tetum people

Suku Tetun
Tetun, Belu (Tetum)
Three Tetum men in Suai, East Timor wearing traditional clothing (2003).
Total population
950,000 (2015)[1]
Regions with significant populations
 Indonesia500,000
 East Timor450,000
Languages
Tetum
Religion
Christianity (Catholicism in East Timor and Protestantism in West Timor)
Related ethnic groups
Tetum cottage in Dato Rua [de].

The Tetum, also known as Tetun or Belu in Indonesia, are an ethnic group that are the indigenous inhabitants of the island of Timor.[2][3][4] This ethnic group inhabits the Belu Regency in Indonesia and most of East Timor. Their language is called Tetum, which is part of the Austronesian language family.[4][5] Apart from the island of Timor, this ethnic group is also found in Jakarta, Indonesia.[5][6]

Origins

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See also: de:Lulik

Among the Tetum Terik of Viqueque, it is believed that the first humans emerged from two orfices or vaginas, "Mahuma" and "Lequi Bui", emerging on the ground by climbing sacred tendrils. Therefore, among the Tetum Terik, the door of the house is traditionally referred to as the vagina and the inside is called WOMB, the women's room. According to their beliefs, the Tetum Terik universe, which is divided into the underworld and the upper world, is connected through a woman's vagina. The lower or sacred world is defined as feminine, dominated by women, while the secular and masculine upper world is occupied by men. According to their beliefs, the two worlds must be united, otherwise infertility, disease and death will threaten.[7]

Based on stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, it is believed that the Tetum ethnic group originally came from Malacca on the Malay Peninsula, then moved to several places before finally arriving on the island of Timor, namely in the eastern part of the island. This story is also believed to be the origin of the founding of the Kingdom of Malacca [de; id] in West Timor, which is one of the kingdoms led by the Tetum ethnic group.[5]

Overview

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Language map of the island of Timor.

The Malayo-Polynesian Tetum form the largest ethnic group in East Timor with approximately 450,000 people and the second largest in West Timor with 500,000 people. They only migrated in the 14th century, when according to their records, the Tetum people came from Malacca. First they settled in the centre of the island and pushed the Atoni Meto to the western part of Timor. They then advanced further east and founded four kingdoms, of which Wehali was the most powerful. Likewise, their language became the lingua franca in the centre and east of the island. Even today, Tetums live in the centre of the island on both sides of the border and on the southeastern coast.

The Tetum speak various dialects of Tetum. Tetun Prasa is the official language of East Timor alongside Portuguese. In East Timor alone, over 432,766 people speak Tetum as their first language (2015). Of the different dialects, 361,027 East Timorese stated that Tetun Prasa is their mother tongue, 71,418 mentioned Tetun Terik, and 321 caused Nanaek (2015).[1]

The historical exonym Belu means 'friend' or 'protector'. Therefore, the eastern part of the island of Timor was called Belu during colonial times.[8]

In contrast to other Tetun speakers, the "Tetum Terik Fehan" are matriarchally organised, which is otherwise only the case in Bunak and Galoli in East Timor. The Tetum Terik Fehan ethnic group lives in Manufahi, Cova Lima, Bobonaro and Manatuto.[9]

Culture

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Traditional dance

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One of the traditional dances of the Tetun ethnic group is the Likurai dance [id], which is danced by women to welcome guests or fighters returning from war.[2]

Wedding

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Tetum women who are and have been married traditionally wear tattoos with certain motifs that symbolise their social status. Tetum brides and grooms also have traditional clothing equipped with headdresses, fabrics, necklaces, studs, and other jewellery with distinctive patterns and meanings.[10]

See also

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Look up Tetum in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tetum.

References

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  1. ^ a b "TIMOR-LESTE POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS 2015; POPULATION DISTRIBUTION BY ADMINISTRATIVE AREA - VOLUME 2 (LANGUAGE); Table 13 Population by mother tongue and age, Timor-Leste" (PDF). Direcção-Geral de Estatística, now the Instituto Nacional de Estatística de Timor-Leste. 2016. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b Kristi, Navita; et al. (2012). Astutiningsih (ed.). Fakta Menakjubkan Tentang Indonesia; Wisata Sejarah, Budaya, dan Alam di 33 Provinsi: Bagian 3 [Amazing Facts About Indonesia; Historical, Cultural and Natural Tourism in 33 Provinces: Volume 3] (in Indonesian). Vol. 3. Cipedak, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia: Cikal Aksara. p. 72. ISBN 978-602-8526-67-8. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  3. ^ Dianawati, Ajen (2004). RPUL SD (Rangkuman Pengetahuan Umum Lengkap Sekolah Dasar) [CGKS PS (Complete General Knowledge Summary of Primary School)] (in Indonesian). Wahyu Media. p. 57. ISBN 978-979-3806-65-5. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b Siburian, Robert (ed.). Beta Orang Kupang: Mengenal John Haba Lewat Para Sahabat [Beta Orang Kupang: Getting to Know John Haba Through Friends] (in Indonesian). Jakarta, Indonesia: Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia. p. 20. ISBN 978-602-433-432-1. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Kana, Christoffel (1 January 1986). Abu, Rifai (ed.). Arsitektur Tradisional Daerah Nusa Tenggara Timur [Traditional Architecture of East Nusa Tenggara] (in Indonesian). Directorate General of Culture. p. 64. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  6. ^ Kamis (22 November 2018). "Rekam Jejak Hercules, Tokoh Timor yang 'Besar' di Tanah Abang" [The track record of Hercules, the 'great' Timorese figure in Tanah Abang]. CNN Indonesia Online (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  7. ^ Trindade, Josh (30 June 2011). "Lulik: The Core Values of Timor-Leste". Academia.edu. p. 11. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Geographical names against a volatile background" (PDF). Permanent Committee on Geographical Names for British Official Use: East Timor. December 1999. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  9. ^ Niner, Sara (January 2012). "Barlake: an exploration of marriage practices and issues of women's status in Timor-Leste" (PDF). Fundasaun Mahein. p. 144. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  10. ^ Husni, Muhammad; Siregar, Tiarma Rita (1 January 2000). Perhiasan Tradisional Indonesia [Traditional Indonesian Jewellery] (in Indonesian). Directorate General of Culture. p. 32. Retrieved 1 June 2024.

Further reading

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