As it is throughout the Southeast Asia region, the home represents the nucleus of the family in Oe-Cusse and the feeling of community is especially powerful. The traditional houses (Uma Lulik in Tetum) built-in wood and covered by dry palm leaves are an authentic symbol of the Maubere (people from Timor-Leste) identity. It creates a space where all generations can come together to speak and perform rituals.  In Oé-Cusse region, two types of Uma Lulik’s exist: the one in the mountains called Ume Suba and the second located in coastal areas known as Ume Haltuna. Try and see both during your time here.

In the Baiqueno language, Bso’ot is the name that refers to the traditional Atoni costume. Bso’ot are very colorful and include several complements made of silver; similar costumes are worn by both men and women. Every element of the outfit displays has tremendous cultural and historical importance for the Atoni community.

Palm weaving plays a significant role in the everyday life of locals here. Most of the Atoni people in the Oé-Cusse region are subsistence farmers living in traditional houses and using palm weaving items such as baskets in their everyday use. The age-old tradition of palm leaf weaving, locally called Hamon, is usually passed over from grandmother to granddaughter. The process of making it helps preserve Atoni’s culture since the elderly share the knowledge and stories with the younger generations, as they weave together.

Traditional pottery making in Oé-Cusse is relatively common even today and is mainly done by women. Clay pots are used by Atoni people to cook food, store water, and very often to store the local palm wine, Tua Sabu.

A Tais is a textile cloth made through a traditional weaving process by the women of Timor-Leste.  Tais weaving is embedded in the cultural heritage of the people of Timor-Leste, where each region crafts a different style of Tais. Oé-Cusse takes pride in its special textile cloth called “bet bose” in the local Baiqueno language. “Bet bose” was once made only for kings to wear during special ceremonies, but now it is often used by the President during significant cultural events. Locals use Tais as part of their ceremonial adornment, dressed in the form of a skirt by both men and women, along with silver or gold jewelry, feathers, and corals. In the past and even today in remote areas of Oé-Cusse, this special cloth is used as a unit of exchange for livestock or other valuables, to show appreciation towards guests or as home decor. The catholic church has also adopted the use of Tais during its ceremonies in Timor-Leste.