Vao

Nao sabia. 10 minutos depois: “Vao já ser soltos”.

Global Voices in English » East Timor: Where is Justice for the Suai Church Massacre? 2009

A few stragglers, men of importance who have been detained by politics, and bachelors, who have nothing and nobody to care for but themselves, follow later on, and only a crowd of boys stays in Vao, to enjoy themselves on the beach and get into all sorts of mischief.

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914

What has preserved the old customs so well on Vao is the aversion of the natives to plantation work.

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914

M.lo, M..M. Wells and M.. Jacquier; in Vao, Rev. Father Jamond; in

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914

Apparently the idea is that it remains in connection with the body for a certain time, for in some districts the corpse is fed for five days or longer; in Vao a bamboo tube is used, which leads from the surface of the earth to the mouth of the buried body.

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914

In Vao conditions are not quite so bad, because there is considerable wealth, and women are numerous, so that even young men are enabled to have a family; in consequence, the race here is healthier than elsewhere.

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914

On Vao there are five, corresponding to the number of clans.

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914

Later he will understand that the charm of Vao lies in the rich, busy human life that fills the island.

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914

We explored the interior of Vao, going first through the thicket on the shore, then through reed-grass over 6 feet high, then between low walls surrounding little plantations.

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914

According to Vao beliefs, the souls of the dead travel to the island of Ambrym, and after five days climb a narrow trail up to the volcano.

Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific Felix Speiser 1914