Mane ho feto kompleta malu: gender relations in contemporary Timor-Leste

This chapter explores the gender relations apparent in contemporary Timorese society and the historical forces that have influenced the evolution of these relations. It also explores some of the most pressing contemporary issues, including the dominance of men in Timorese history, the legacy of militarisation, gendered political economy, masculinities and gendered violence. The common Timorese, mane ho feto kompleta malu ‘men and women complete each other’, is based on customary beliefs that men and women and their gender roles are complementary elements of a holistic indigenous social system. Contemporary Timorese citizens are influenced to widely varying degrees by the ancient animist belief system referred to as lulik and the established social hierarchy associated with the cultural complex. Relations between women and men evolve within particular historical periods and operate within institutions, cultures and societies. Portuguese explorers and traders first arrived in Timor in the sixteenth century and were incorporated into the indigenous exchange system.