Field Notes

Over the span of the eight days that we explored and learned about the amazing nation that is Timor-Leste, I, along with all the students, experienced unforgettable things and gained a little bit of insight about how this country has grown from its violent history. From the memorial we visited on the way to Mt. Ramelau, to the meeting with the Chief-of-Staff, Mr. Gomez, it is clear that the Timorese have so much local culture deeply rooted in their past and the constant hardships that have brought union among them.

Religion is a huge aspect in the lives of the Timorese, and it helps to unify them. When the Portuguese came, they brought along with them many things, but the most important was their religion, Roman Catholicism. The majority of the Timorese started following this universalizing religion, eventually making it the main religion consisting of about 95% of the population. As they would go through constant struggle, such as the Indonesian Occupation, religion would act as their rock that was always there for them to rely on and it was key for the unification of the country. The stories of Cristo Rei, Pope John Paul, Virgin Mary on Mt. Ramelau, and the Santa Cruz Cemetery, were examples of the power religion has over the population of East Timor. It helped the country become less separated and have a more integrated population.