Kemak People
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The Kemak (, also known as Ema) people are an ethnic group numbering 80,000 in north-central
Timor Timor (, , ) is an island at the southern end of Maritime Southeast Asia, in the north of the Timor Sea. The island is Indonesia–Timor-Leste border, divided between the sovereign states of Timor-Leste in the eastern part and Indonesia in the ...
island. Most live in the district of
Bobonaro Bobonaro is a town in Bobonaro Subdistrict, Bobonaro District, East Timor., United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency The district capital is not in Bobonaro, but is in Maliana Maliana is a city in East Timor, 149 kilomet ...
, East Timor, and the rest live in the
East Nusa Tenggara East Nusa Tenggara (; ) is the southernmost province of Indonesia. It comprises the eastern portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands, facing the Indian Ocean in the south and the Flores Sea in the north, with a total land area of 47,238.07 km2. It cons ...
province of Indonesia. They are close to the Tetum people. The Kemak people speak the
Kemak language Kemak is a language spoken in East Timor and in the border region of Indonesian West Timor. An alternate name is Ema. It is most closely related to Tocodede and Mambai. It has the status of one of the national languages in the East Timor const ...
. They are one of the smallest of the 14 Austronesian subgroups in
Timor Timor (, , ) is an island at the southern end of Maritime Southeast Asia, in the north of the Timor Sea. The island is Indonesia–Timor-Leste border, divided between the sovereign states of Timor-Leste in the eastern part and Indonesia in the ...
. Most of them are adherents of traditional beliefs, while part of them profess the Catholic faith. Territorial community is headed by a leader, divided into genera. There are three levels of conjunctions. The "private" type of group corresponds to the level of ''uma'' or house. It does not only mean housing, but its category includes the
exogamous Exogamy is the social norm of mating or marrying outside one's social group. The group defines the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. One form of exogamy is dual exogamy, in which tw ...
groups of older and younger brothers who share a common ancestor. The "collective" type refers to the Morobe community, which encompasses 7 villages containing mainly 3 houses, and united by a common ritual cycle.


Settlement area

For the most part, the Kemak people live in Atabae,
Cailaco Cailaco is a town in Cailaco Subdistrict in the Bobonaro District of East Timor. Notable people * Luís Cardoso Luís Cardoso de Noronha (born 8 December 1958) is a contemporary East Timorese writer. His work focuses on the history of hi ...
,
Maliana Maliana is a city in East Timor, 149 kilometers southwest of Dili, the national capital. It has a population of 22,000. It is the capital of the Districts of East Timor, district of Bobonaro District, Bobonaro and Maliana Subdistrict, and is ...
(
Bobonaro District Bobonaro (, , or ) is a municipality (and was formerly a district) in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste commonly known as East Timor. It is the second-most western municipality on the east half of the island. It has a population of 92, ...
, 39,000 Kemaks) and
Atsabe Atsabe (in ancient sources: Artessabe, Atisasabo) is a town in Atsabe Subdistrict in the Ermera District of East Timor. References Populated places in Timor-Leste Ermera Municipality {{EastTimor-geo-stub ...
(
Ermera District Ermera (, ) is one of the municipalities of East Timor, municipalities (formerly districts) of East Timor, located in the west-central part of the country. It has a population of 117,064 (Census 2010) and an area of 756.5 km2. Etymolog ...
, 18,500 Kemaks), but also partly in the
Cova Lima District Cova Lima (, ) is a municipality of East Timor, in the Southwest part of the country. It has a population of 59,455 (Census 2010) and an area of 1,230 km2. The capital of the municipality is Suai, which lies 136 km from Dili, the ...
(2,100 Kemaks) of
East Timor Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...
and in
Belu Regency Belu Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. Situated on the north side of Timor island, it originally stretched to the south coast, but in December 2012 its southern half was detached to form the new Malaka Regency. It ...
,
East Nusa Tenggara East Nusa Tenggara (; ) is the southernmost province of Indonesia. It comprises the eastern portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands, facing the Indian Ocean in the south and the Flores Sea in the north, with a total land area of 47,238.07 km2. It cons ...
of
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
. According to the 2010
East Timor Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...
census, 61,969 people identify
Kemak language Kemak is a language spoken in East Timor and in the border region of Indonesian West Timor. An alternate name is Ema. It is most closely related to Tocodede and Mambai. It has the status of one of the national languages in the East Timor const ...
as their mother tongue. In 1970, there were 45,084 people.


History


Kemak people of Atsabe

Before the colonial period,
Atsabe Atsabe (in ancient sources: Artessabe, Atisasabo) is a town in Atsabe Subdistrict in the Ermera District of East Timor. References Populated places in Timor-Leste Ermera Municipality {{EastTimor-geo-stub ...
was one of the centers of
Timor Timor (, , ) is an island at the southern end of Maritime Southeast Asia, in the north of the Timor Sea. The island is Indonesia–Timor-Leste border, divided between the sovereign states of Timor-Leste in the eastern part and Indonesia in the ...
under the ''koronel bote'' (meaning " Kings") of Atsabe Kemak, which dominated the entire Kemak inhabited areas in
East Timor Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...
until the colonial period. The Kemak areas includes the north of present-day
Bobonaro Bobonaro is a town in Bobonaro Subdistrict, Bobonaro District, East Timor., United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency The district capital is not in Bobonaro, but is in Maliana Maliana is a city in East Timor, 149 kilomet ...
, in the northern
Ainaro Ainaro is a town in East Timor, the capital of the Ainaro suco, the Ainaro administrative post and the Ainaro Municipality, and is located in the southwest part of the country. The town of Ainaro is located 78 km south of Dili, the nati ...
, and in the area of
Suai Suai is a city in Timor-Leste, in Suai Subdistrict. It has a population of 9,866 and is located to the southwest of Dili, the national capital. Suai is the capital of the Cova Lima District, which is in the southwest of the country. It is loca ...
that were tributary to
Atsabe Atsabe (in ancient sources: Artessabe, Atisasabo) is a town in Atsabe Subdistrict in the Ermera District of East Timor. References Populated places in Timor-Leste Ermera Municipality {{EastTimor-geo-stub ...
. The small Kemak empire of Marobo had a peripheral location, which is why the Kemak people there were mixed with the neighboring
Bunak people The Bunak (also known as Bunaq, Buna', Bunake) people are an ethnic group that live in the mountainous region of central Timor, split between the political boundary between West Timor, Indonesia, particularly in Lamaknen District and East Timor. ...
for generations.
Atsabe Atsabe (in ancient sources: Artessabe, Atisasabo) is a town in Atsabe Subdistrict in the Ermera District of East Timor. References Populated places in Timor-Leste Ermera Municipality {{EastTimor-geo-stub ...
was part of a complex alliance system through rituals, marriage and trade, though which the Tetun Dili people of
Wehali Wehali (''Wehale'', ''Waihali'', ''Veale'') is the name of a traditional kingdom at the southern coast of Central Timor, now in Indonesia and East Timor. It is often mentioned together with its neighbouring sister kingdom, as Wewiku-Wehali (Waiwik ...
with its capital, Laran were established. Laran was at the same time the spiritual center of the entire island. In addition to Tetum Dili and Kemak people, the
Bunak people The Bunak (also known as Bunaq, Buna', Bunake) people are an ethnic group that live in the mountainous region of central Timor, split between the political boundary between West Timor, Indonesia, particularly in Lamaknen District and East Timor. ...
and
Mambai people The Mambai (Mambae, Manbae) people are the second largest ethnic group after the Tetum Dili people in East Timor. Originally, they were known as the Maubere by the Portuguese. ''Maubere'' or ''Mau Bere'' is a widespread male first name among the ...
of
Aileu Aileu is the main township in Aileu District, East Timor. It is located 47 km (29 mi) southwest of Dili, the national capital, and had a population of 2,788 in 2015. In Portuguese Timor, the city was known as Vila General Carmona ...
were also part of this alliance system. Together with the east of the island, the Portuguese called this area Belu (also Belos or Fialaran). According to the oral traditions of the Atsabe Kemaks people, they came relatively late under the colonial Portuguese rule. One reason could have been the far-reaching dispersal of the inhabitants and the impassibility of the mountainous landscape. Only in the 19th century did the Portuguese-Angolan troops had first invaded the area. The then
Kings Kings or King's may refer to: *Kings: The sovereign heads of states and/or nations. *One of several works known as the "Book of Kings": **The Books of Kings part of the Bible, divided into two parts **The ''Shahnameh'', an 11th-century epic Persia ...
Dom Tomás Pinto opposed the invaders. But Dom Tomás was defeated and had to go to
Atambua Atambua is the regency seat of Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The town stretches 8.5 km from north to south and 5 km from east to west, and is in the north of the western half of Timor Island. The town is located at an alt ...
to flee to West Timor. Portuguese sources mentioned the region of
Atsabe Atsabe (in ancient sources: Artessabe, Atisasabo) is a town in Atsabe Subdistrict in the Ermera District of East Timor. References Populated places in Timor-Leste Ermera Municipality {{EastTimor-geo-stub ...
and
Liurai Liurai is a ruler's title on Timor. The word is Tetum language, Tetun and literally means "surpassing the earth". It was originally associated with Wehali, a ritually central kingdom situated at the south coast of central Timor (now included in I ...
only in the middle of the 19th century. The
Atsabe Atsabe (in ancient sources: Artessabe, Atisasabo) is a town in Atsabe Subdistrict in the Ermera District of East Timor. References Populated places in Timor-Leste Ermera Municipality {{EastTimor-geo-stub ...
rulers were particularly prone to rebel against the colonial leaders and their presence in the island. Two of Dom Tomás' grandchildren, Nai Resi and Nai Sama later fought for power. While Nai Resi turned against the Portuguese colonialists, Nai Sama supported the Portuguese. Nai Sama was finally executed by his own men, while Nai Resi was captured by the Portuguese in Hatulia and executed as well. The Portuguese were first regarded as another people with their own ruler. After the resistance to them had failed, the Kemak people accepted the leaders of the Portuguese as part of their higher hierarchy that provided them with a larger army, holy men, the Catholic priests and with a larger Lulic (ritual practitioner). The flag of the Portuguese and even its flagpole were viewed as sacred objects. The colonial rulers, confirmed as administrators of Portugal, were again legitimized by handing over of the flag. The acceptance of Kemak people for the established Catholicism was closely related to their understanding of the personified holiness. This imported concept of holiness is seen as a stronger expansion of the local's existing traditional Luli. The Catholic priests were given land to build chapels and were allowed to do mission work. But the success of conversion was not much because of the friendless but rather so that one's own spiritual powers can be increased. Nai Resi's son, Dom Cipriano Gonçalves (Dom Siprianu) became the ruler of
Atsabe Atsabe (in ancient sources: Artessabe, Atisasabo) is a town in Atsabe Subdistrict in the Ermera District of East Timor. References Populated places in Timor-Leste Ermera Municipality {{EastTimor-geo-stub ...
in 1912 until 1943. During the Japanese occupation of Timor, he and the population of Atsabe made passive resistance. Therefore, Siprianu along with six of his relatives were taken hostage by the Japanese and later executed. Since the Portuguese education system was reserved for the ruling class, they were also able to secure the leading positions in the colonial administration. The same was true later during the Indonesian occupation, the boundaries of collaboration and apparent cooperation for the protection of its own people were obvious. The East Timorese resistance also found partial support here. The son of Siprianu and the last ruler of
Atsabe Atsabe (in ancient sources: Artessabe, Atisasabo) is a town in Atsabe Subdistrict in the Ermera District of East Timor. References Populated places in Timor-Leste Ermera Municipality {{EastTimor-geo-stub ...
, Dom Guilherme Maria Gonçalves became a co-founder of the pro-Indonesian party,
Timorese Popular Democratic Association The Timorese Popular Democratic Association (, APODETI; ) was a political party in East Timor established in 1974, which advocated for integration into Indonesia. Along with another East Timor party, the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT), it signed ...
(APODETI) in 1974, which called for the support of
East Timor Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...
to
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
. During the Indonesian occupation, Dom Guilherme was the Governor of Indonesian
Timor Timur East Timor () was a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia between 1976 and 1999, during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor, Indonesian occupation of the country. Its territory corresponded to the previous Portuguese Timor and to th ...
from 1978 to 1982. Later, he distanced himself from
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
and went into Portuguese exile. After the East Timorese people had spoken in a 1999 referendum for an independence from
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
, pro-Indonesian militias attacked family members and allies of the former ''koronel bote'' (meaning "rulers"). The reason was due to the suspect that the former ruler supported the independence movement.


Other Kemak communities

In the spring of 1867, the Kemak people from Lermean (today the municipality of
Ermera District Ermera (, ) is one of the municipalities of East Timor, municipalities (formerly districts) of East Timor, located in the west-central part of the country. It has a population of 117,064 (Census 2010) and an area of 756.5 km2. Etymolog ...
) under the supremacy of
Maubara Maubara is a village in Maubara Administrative Post ( Liquiçá Municipality, East Timor), just west of the city of Liquiçá. Most of the inhabitants speak Tocodede. It lies near the Maubara Important Bird Area, encompassing the small c ...
rose up against the Portuguese colonial masters. Governor Francisco Teixeira da Silva defeated the opposition in an unequal fight. In the decisive battle, which lasted for 48 hours, the rebels had to defend themselves against a superior fire power. Fifteen villages were taken and burnt down. The number of victims among the Timorese is not known, while the Portuguese counted their own losses with two dead and eight wounded. The territory of Lermeans was divided into the neighboring kingdoms. In 1868, the Portuguese sent a military force to Suco Sanirin (Sanir / Saniry) whose ''liurai'' (ruler) refused to pay taxes, and a fort in Suco Batugade was made to serve as a center for military operations. The Kemak people of Suco Sanirin were officially Balibo Subdistrict tributary under Batugade military command. Between 1894 and 1897, several empires rebelled in the west of the Portuguese colony. In the Portuguese punitive action, several Kemak empires such as Sanirin, Cotubaba and Deribate were practically wiped out. Thousands of residents fled to
West Timor West Timor () is an area covering the western part of the island of Timor, except for the district of Oecussi-Ambeno (an East Timorese exclave). Administratively, West Timor is part of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The capital as well ...
of the
Dutch East Indies The Dutch East Indies, also known as the Netherlands East Indies (; ), was a Dutch Empire, Dutch colony with territory mostly comprising the modern state of Indonesia, which Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, declared independence on 17 Au ...
and settled there in Belu. More followed in the years between 1900 and 1912. Investigations assume at least 12,000 refugees.


Religion and social structure

Like the other ethnic groups of
East Timor Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...
, the Kemak people today are largely adherents of the Catholic faith. Thus, in the
Atsabe Administrative Post Atsabe, officially Atsabe Administrative Post (, ), is an administrative post in Ermera municipality, East Timor. Its seat or administrative centre An administrative centre is a seat of regional administration or local government, or a co ...
almost all inhabitants are Catholics. It spread particularly during the
Indonesian occupation of East Timor The Indonesian occupation of East Timor began in December 1975 and lasted until October 1999. After centuries of Portuguese Timor, Portuguese colonial rule in East Timor, the 1974 Carnation Revolution in Portugal led to the decolonisation of ...
(1975–1999) as a demarcation to the majority Muslim invaders. The church offered protection, criticized the brutal behavior of the occupiers, and was a means of peaceful protest. The veneration of the Virgin Mary, especially in small towns, is particularly marked by numerous religious ceremonies in churches and
grotto A grotto or grot is a natural or artificial cave or covered recess. Naturally occurring grottoes are often small caves near water that are usually flooded or often flooded at high tide. Sometimes, artificial grottoes are used as garden fea ...
es. Nevertheless, the Christian rites still bear traces of the animistic, traditional religion. Components of the ancient religion are ancestral cult, reliquary worship and the concept of sacred (
Kemak language Kemak is a language spoken in East Timor and in the border region of Indonesian West Timor. An alternate name is Ema. It is most closely related to Tocodede and Mambai. It has the status of one of the national languages in the East Timor const ...
: ''luli'',
Tetum language Tetum ( ; ; ) is an Austronesian language spoken on the island of Timor. It is one of the official languages of Timor-Leste and it is also spoken in Belu Regency and Malaka Regency, which form the eastern part of Indonesian West Timor adjoi ...
: ''lulik'') places. One of them is Mount Dar Lau, which is the mythical place of origin of the Atsabe Kemak people. According to legend, heaven and earth were once connected at this point. Christian priests that kept animistic practices, are revered as holy men with spiritual powers (''Luli''). Such spiritual powers are passed on through a blessing. In doing so, these spiritual forces are not only derived from the office, but rather men who are credited with spiritual forces to join the priesthood. There are slight variations in the ceremonies between the different groups of Kemak communities, such as the Atsabe Kemak and the Marobo Kemak people. Society is characterized by a hierarchical division according to the families, the "houses". The house of the ''Koronel'' (
Tetum language Tetum ( ; ; ) is an Austronesian language spoken on the island of Timor. It is one of the official languages of Timor-Leste and it is also spoken in Belu Regency and Malaka Regency, which form the eastern part of Indonesian West Timor adjoi ...
: ''Liurai''), the traditional kingship, had their authority derived from their origins in their founding fathers and their ''luli''. The latter could either be both in a person himself as well as in sacred objects. The same applies to the traditional priests (''gases ubu''), who claimed their position on the basis of their origin and ritual knowledge. They were the guardians of sacred history and traditions. Only the king surpasses them in holiness. He also retains the largest share of holy objects, which were handed down from their founding fathers. But the authority of the priests is limited to the rituals. However, it was possible that a person have both secular power, for example, as a village chief, and at the same time a priest. The king of Atsabe had both authorities. In addition, the king's house secured his position of power though strategical marriage policy, the exchange of women and material goods, and the formation of an army to fight in regional feuds and head hunting. The sacred houses are built together by all men who belong to a tribe line. They meet on a weekend, once a month, for eleven months. At the end of the monthly work is always a small ritual feast celebrated. The sacred houses consist of seven levels, each with four steps. Restriction to the access depends on the degree of kinship. Simple guests are allowed only in the lowest level of the house, friends at least in the second level, married relatives in the third, relatives from neighbouring villages in the fourth and partly in the fifth, those married in the village in the sixth and only the ''Lulik Nain'' (meaning "Lord of the Holy") up to the seventh level. He is the guardian of the house and the sacred objects, which are kept here. At the inauguration of the house, a buffalo is sacrificed and a great feast is celebrated.


Funeral ceremonies

The burial ceremonies of the Kemak people (''Tau tana mate'') are divided into three phases, namely ''Huku bou'', ''Leko-cicir lia'' and ''Koli nughu''. The burial ceremonies are referred to as black rituals (''Metama no''). It is one of the occasions when the living ones come into contact with their ancestors, which also leads to the renewal and restructuring of the social connections between the living and the dead as well as between the alliance partners, whom are connected by marriage. The house of the "bride-donors" (''ai mea'') and those of the "bride-receptors" play central roles in the burial ceremonies, as in other major events. Before all members of the family have arrived, the ritual cannot be started. The blood of the sacrificial animals that the ''Ai mea'' have donated is used to brush ritual objects and the grave. In times of polygamy, the attendance of second wives and their participation (''Bei-bei'') is an absolute requirement. In addition, there are also the attendance of the entire sides of the family, such as those of the older and younger houses (''ka'ara-aliri''), which are connected by marriage and the friendly and allied ones. For the Atsabe Kemak people the first phase of burial, the ''Huku bou'', consists of sacrifice of at least five water buffaloes and several goats and pigs. The dead person is then buried in a Christian grave. The second phase, ''Leko-cicir lia'', is the most cost-intensive ritual of the Kemak culture. This is usually performed jointly for several deceased. Only a high status dead person, such as a ''Koronel'', receive an independent ritual. The ritual is usually performed before the beginning of the planting season (August to September), since it is combined with the request to the ancestors for a rich harvest. According to traditional belief, the second rite have not been performed yet for the soul of the deceased and it is said to remain near his house and village (''Asi naba coa pu''). The later the ''leko-cicir lia'' takes place, the more shall the lonely soul long for his society, and therefore will call for the souls of the living to him. An accumulation of deaths within a house is regarded as a sign of such a case. Nevertheless, the ritual is usually carried out only years after the first phase, since the house of the dead must first afford the economic means for such expensive ritual. It is particularly complicated by the concept of the Second Burial. The bones of the deceased are excavated, cleaned and re-buried, while the soul of the dead are guided through ritual songs (''Nele'') of the priest to the village of the ancestors on the
Tatamailau Tatamailau (Tetum: ''Foho Tatamailau''), or Tata Mailau, also Mount Ramelau, is the highest point in Timor-Leste and also of Timor island at . The mountain is located approximately south of the capital Dili in the district of Ainaro. While Eas ...
,
East Timor Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...
's highest mountain. The songs can take up to 14 hours. During the ritual, water buffaloes are once again presented as animal sacrifices. The severed sexual organs of all sacrificial animals are brought deep into the sacred jungle (''Ai lara hui'') at the end of the ceremony and placed there before ''Bia Mata Ai Pun'' (the origin of spring and trees). The ancestors are conjured up by a song, through the sacrifices of animals, to transfer the souls of the dead to the ancestors. At the end the bones of the dead are again buried. The conclusion is now a Christian Mass, the only reference to the new faith.


References


External links


Reaffirming the Kemak culture of Marobo: Then and now
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kemak People Ethnic groups in Timor-Leste Ethnic groups in Indonesia th:ภาษาเกมัก