Memories of Timor Leste at the Immigration Museum<\/p>\n
A new exhibition that celebrates an East Timorese ritual devoted to remembering those who have departed will go on view at the Immigration Museum from 19 September 2010 to 10 April 2011.<\/p>\n
Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste explores Se Matebian, a ritual that takes place each year on 2 November or All Souls Day. This significant ritual honours East Timorese ancestors and brings to mind all those who died during the battle for independence from Indonesian rule from 1975 to 1999. Honouring our Ancestors looks at how the East Timorese community in Australia continues to practise this ritual today.<\/p>\n
Se Matebian means \u2018to whom this soul belongs\u2019. The ritual involves offerings of food for departed family and friends and prayers for their protection and guidance followed by feasting. In Timor Leste, All Souls Day celebrations also include processions to Mount Matebian which has been regarded as a resting place for souls for countless generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cSe Matebian is a happy celebration\u201d, said Filomena Freitas. \u201cWe are filled with joy and burdens are lifted. We sit and eat knowing that our ancestors\u2019 souls are near us\u201d. <\/p>\n
Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste also features personal stories and reflections from Australia\u2019s East Timorese community. Objects in the exhibition include a silver breast plate and head piece worn by elders during ceremonial peace, a silver jewellery box with an ancestral worship home on top, jewellery associated with ancestors, timber statues representing ancestors, hand woven baskets and East Timorese fabrics.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy showing objects that are highly significant to cultural survival for the East Timorese, the exhibition honours the importance of rituals and the vital role of cultural maintenance in times of tragedy,\u201d says Padmini Sebastian, Immigration Museum Manager.<\/p>\n
In 1975, after Indonesia invaded Timor Leste following the withdrawal of Portuguese colonial control, thousands of East Timorese fled overseas. Over the next decade the Timor Leste born community in Victoria increased from 367 in 1976 to over 2,784 in 1986. Thousands more came to Australia as refugees following the referendum for independence in 1999, which sparked violence in Timor Leste. Victoria has the highest number of East Timorese immigrants in Australia, with over 5,000 in total.<\/p>\n
The Immigration Museum, through its Community Exhibitions, provides a forum for a community\u2019s shared voices to tell their migration story. Community exhibitions are created by communities themselves with support from the Museum. The Community Gallery has been open for over 10 years, and has hosted more than 50 Community Exhibitions. <\/p>\n
Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste
\nImmigration Museum
\n19 September 2010 to 10 April 2011
\nAdults $8, Children and Concession FREE<\/p>\n
Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Admission: Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE.
\nOpen daily 10.00am to 5.00pm. Phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au\/immigrationmuseum<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Memories of Timor Leste at the Immigration Museum A new exhibition that celebrates an East Timorese ritual devoted to remembering those who have departed will go on view at the Immigration Museum from 19 September 2010 to 10 April 2011. Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste explores Se Matebian, a ritual that takes place each<\/p>\n