Constructing a national identity in Timor-Leste: Reflections

In May 2002, when its independence was formally established, Timor-Leste became the latest of the former Portuguese colonies that had to come to terms with its colonial heritage. But this was not its only challenge, as this territory had been occupied by its neighbour Indonesia in the period 1975-1999, entailing misery for the population and an ‘Indonesiazation’ of their cultural expressions and institutions. The new state of Timor-Leste needed to conquer respect on the world stage – on the map it is a dwarf between the giants of Indonesia and Australia – and also legitimacy among its citizens, where problems triggered in particular by the Indonesian occupation still lingered. Therefore, the closely-connected processes of state-building, nation-building and identity-building have been going on until now. The state and several linked organizations such as the educational institutions are highly involved in the promotion of the ‘feeling of belonging’ to Timor-Leste among the citizens. Factors which complicate this identity-construction include internal rivalries, the cultural influence of Indonesia, and the great heterogeneity of the population, which counts about twenty ethnolinguistic groups. In the paper several dimensions and symbolic objects and events that are created and activated for the construction of a national identity are examined. These are the flag and anthem, language, religion, monuments, the cult of national heroes, and national celebrations. In most of these dimensions elements of perceived national culture as well as of Portuguese legacy are interwoven. The paper is based on documental research and interviews and observations in Timor-Leste during November 2016. PowerPoint, not the written texto, available.