Ritual of Preventing Diseases
Author(s)
Title
Ritual of Preventing Diseases
Alternative Title
Ritual satan moras
Publication Type
Language
tet
Number of Pages
1
Location
Timor-Leste
Keywords
Ritual satan moras
Relevance to ICH Safeguarding
ICH Genre
Description
Ritual satan moras (Ritual of Preventing Diseases)- There is a cultural tradition to prevent any disease from spreading or affecting the community. When there is news of an endemic or pandemic that kills people in neighboring cities or countries, local leaders and elders come together to take traditional measures to prevent the disease from entering the community. The elders and local authorities come together to anoint a Lia-nain (elder) and equip him with the strength and power of nature to fight against the approaching disease. During the epidemic, the anointed elder does not cut his hair or beard. When the disease subsides, the elders and local authorities come together again to perform some rituals of thanksgiving and cut the hair and beard of the elder in charge. The entire community then comes together to celebrate the victory over the epidemic. This practice is still alive and the last time it was practiced was in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Book/Journal Title
Publisher
Timor-Leste National Comission for UNESCO
Place of Publication
Timor-Leste
Date of Publication
2024
Pages
34
Academic Field
Cultural study (Oral tradition)
Community/Ethnic Group
Community of Manufahi Municipality
Faoholau-Orana
Contributor
Active Contribution
Timor-Leste, FY 2024