Os três patrões: a habilidade negocial das lia e o peso da kultura

Abstract

The article explores the tense coexistence among elements of different origins in the ways of managing East Timorese life. The study is based on the criticism usually applied to rituals (lia) as draining family resources that become obstacles to modern forms of social and economic development. Through the analysis of a specific type of ritual, the importance of negotiation skills is highlighted as an inseparable part of local governance techniques. The State's ambiguous position in relation to local ritual elements is understood as an expression of the parasitic use of culture as a form of governance. We suggest that more important than its eventual economic impact is the fact that lia is a form of shaping the relationship of a local community to the State, providing a model of vertical hierarchical solidarity that guides the relationship of the Timorese with their modern governance institutions.

Keywords

• Timor-Leste
• anthropology of politics
• local development
• local governance
• rituals