WEST TIMOR

The island of Timor is split between Indonesian West Timor, and the independent East Timor (Timor Leste ). Officially, the about 1.5 million West Timorese are Christians, and ethnically an interesting blend of peoples from the surrounding islands, and the original Atoni.

Although a very mountainous island, it is free of volcanoes. A large part of the interior is dry with eroded soils. The clearcutting of the sandalwood trees centuries ago does not help the situation. Some very nice beaches are found along the coast.

In the central mountains and hills, not too easily accessible, many old tribal kingdoms and villages are still maintained, with fascinating ceremonies and customs. Here, the traditional houses are very common to see all around, with its typical conical shaped thatched “lopo”, huts.

Main income for the West Timorese is agriculture and some fishing, as well as production of some fine ikat.