Wehali The Female Land: Traditions of a Timorese ritual centre

Abstract

Wehali defines itself as the ritual centre of the island of Timor. As a ritual centre, Wehali continues to be the residence of a figure of traditional authority on whom, in the 18th century, the Dutch conferred the title of Kaiser (Keizer) and to whom the Portuguese gave the title of Emperor (Imperador). At one time, Wehali was the centre of a network of tributary states, which both the Dutch and Portuguese regarded as paramount to the political orgaization of the island. This book is a study of Wehali in its contemporary setting as it continues to maintain its rituals and traditions. Show more