Portuguese Timor and the idea of civilization

This text addresses the theories and justifications the Portuguese colonial regime used to support its actions in eastern Timor, especially during the nineteenth century. Special attention is paid to Governor Afonso de Castro (1859-1863) who, in pursuit of his ideals of civilization, made use of «savage» Timorese customs such as headhunting. A similar paradox, that of merging so-called development goals with low esteem for and exploitation of the inhabitants of the territory, persisted in colonial policies throughout the greater part of the twentieth century.