DILI, 19 july 2022 (TATOLI) – The Academic from the National University of Timor-Lorosa’e (UNTL) explain that Uma-Lulik (Sacred house) and Uma lisan (traditional house), are two different houses but related concepts, saying Uma lisan is a hereditary symbol and Uma lulik as a place of preserving and protection of cultural heritage.
“All generations must protect both of them so that history will continue to be remembered and nothing will end,” professor Fernando da Conceição told Tatoli in UNTL Dili.
Conceição explained that Uma lisan is the identity of the Timorese people. It has value and can provide spiritual protection to his generation.
“If the generations from the Uma lisan who wish to go to abroad, they must first visit their sacred house to receive the blessing from their ancestors before leaving the country”
“Protecting, preserving, and upholding ‘uma lisan’ is the responsibility of all Timorese. the first must be of his generation. They were the first people and first-generation together with the people who came from the same ‘Uma lisan’”
Academics and teachers who teach in public schools, also say that ‘Uma lisan’ can strengthen family ties or ‘fetosan and umane.
“Fetosan and umane are very close because of uma lisan,”
at the same time, Conceição acknowledged that uma lisan was very important and therefore it was important to establish an exchange between all customs and traditions in Timor-Leste.
“Exchange or identification of ‘Uma lisan’ in Timor-Leste is important to get to know the customs and tradition of different ‘Uma Lisan’ and academics should also participate to conduct general surveys about the tradition of different ‘Uma Lisan’ to conclude in the final report the recommendations,”
He also reminded all future generations in Timor-Leste not to be influenced by the customs and traditions of other countries but to continue to maintain Timor-Leste’s customs and traditions because culture is the root of the identity of the people of Timor-Leste.
“Uma lisan is very important because ‘Uma lisan has positive values and brings the generations to know each other, when we separate from ‘Uma lisan’ it means we separate ourselves from our roots,”
Journalist: José Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Nelia B
