9781763727410_

In the remote region of Suai Covalima, in Timor-Leste, lives the Fehan people, one of the few communities in the world that preserves a true matrilineal society. In this remarkable work of cultural anthropology, Nahak Lorico documents the traditions, beliefs, and kinship systems that define the Fehan matrilineal culture and shape everyday life in East Timor.

Drawing on oral traditions, community elders, and firsthand experience within the Fehan community, this book presents a vivid portrait of a society in which lineage, inheritance, and identity are passed down through the maternal line. The result is a rare ethnography of Southeast Asia that reveals how women-centred societies function and how family lineage, clan identity, and social responsibility are preserved across generations.

This powerful study explores the indigenous culture of Timor-Leste and the traditions of the Tetun people of Covalima. Readers will discover the deep cultural roots of the Fehan people, their clan systems, and their matrilineal kinship structures. The book places these traditions within the broader context of Southeast Asian anthropology and indigenous cultures of Timor-Leste.

Through detailed descriptions of community life, the author provides insight into traditional marriage systems, maternal-lineage cultures, and the social relationships that bind Fehan families and clans. The work stands as an important anthropology case study of tribal societies and indigenous family structures that remain active in the modern world.

At the heart of Fehan culture lies a powerful spiritual worldview shaped by the Lulik belief system. Sacred houses known as Uma Lulik preserve ancestral knowledge, spiritual traditions, and the community's cultural identity. These sacred spaces connect the living with the ancestors and maintain the continuity of Timorese traditional religion.

The book also explores traditional rituals and ceremonies that guide the rhythm of community life. Readers will learn about childbirth practices such as Hatuka Ahi, the Mutun Mate ceremony honouring the dead, and the spiritual traditions that govern relationships among people, nature, and the supernatural world.

More than a cultural study, this book serves as an essential record of indigenous knowledge systems and oral traditions that have shaped Timor Island's history. From traditional farming societies and tribal housing traditions to weaving, music, and storytelling, the Fehan way of life reflects centuries of cultural resilience.

For readers interested in cultural anthropology, the ethnography of Southeast Asia, and matrilineal societies worldwide, this work offers a rare window into one of the most fascinating indigenous cultures in the region. It is both a scholarly exploration and a celebration of the enduring heritage of the Fehan people of Timor-Leste.

The Fehan Matrilineal Culture of Covalima, Timor-Leste (East Timor)

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