Tais, Timor-Leste’s traditional textile, is a cultural heritage that has been passed from the ancestors, from generation to generation. Tais has an important role in Timorese people’s life, starting from their birth until death. They use Tais to welcome guests, as well as to show their cultural identity and social class. It is also used as an object of value, for example, 'barlake' (dowry) which is given from family of bride to family of groom. Tais is used not only as an element to tighten the relationship between families, but also to pay penalty when people did not follow the rule within the community. Tais is traditional clothes, which has men's style and women's style. In Timor-Leste, Tais has a variety of colors and motifs varying by ethnic groups. These days, cultural creative industry using Tais with respect to the tradition, is also growing. Tais is made from cotton and natural plants are used to dye color. Production of Tais has been mainly done by women, since the past until now. Normally, Tais is woven manually using simple equipment such as 'atis', 'kida', and others. Process of producing Tais is complex and takes long time. Traditionally, Tais has been woven by individuals. However, some family members also contribute to mitigate the work of women weavers, such as in process of preparing cotton, 'kesi futus' (tie-dye) and dying cotton. These days, weavers also began to form groups to facilitate their weaving activities.

Timor 2021

In Tetum, "Tebe" literally means "to kick with the feet". Tebe is a traditional Timorese dance known as Tebe-Tebe. It’s practiced in all municipalities of Timor-Leste, including Indonesian Timor (the western part of the island). This dance involves people holding hands, forming a circle or line, while dancing to the rhythm of traditional musical instruments or to the sound of traditional songs. Tebe is called by different names among various ethnolinguistic groups. It includes several forms, each designed to fulfill a specific purpose within the community, as passed down by the ancestors. Depending on its functions, tebe can be classify into three categories: •\tTebe in Cultural ceremonies. Tebe in cultural ceremonies performed as a way of connecting and communicating with God or nature. The songs that accompany them often mention the sun, the moon, and high mountains, symbolizing requests for help and expressing gratitude. Tebe in this category include: tebe-beirana, from the municipality of Ermera; tebe-sosé and esalelo, from the municipality of Bobonaro; and tebe-Leoleo, from the municipality of Ainaro. These dances are widely performed in traditional ceremonies, such as sau-batar (corn harvesting), bolu-udan (invoking rain), hapara-udan (stopping rain), kuru bee lulik (fetching sacred water), and the inauguration ceremony of uma-lulik (sacred house), among others. •\tTebe for festive entertainment. Tebe in entertainment is often performed during activities such as the construction of sacred houses, the harvesting of corn, the threshing of rice, the dragging of wood, and the celebration of national days. Festive dances include: tebe-sandole from the municipality of Liquiça; tebe-ohelelele and tebe-odi from the municipality of Baucau; tebe-herlelek and tali-bole from the municipality of Viqueque; tebe-cheilaho uma anakenu and tebe-oleleleo from the municipality of Lautem; and tebe-lesuhere and tebe-goulolo from the municipality of Bobonaro. •\tTebe (dance) to welcome guests. It is performed to welcome the official government visitors or other special guests. Communities organize a warm welcome to express joy and show hospitality. Reception dances include: tebe-foder, from Ermera; tebe-kurikai and semanese, from Ainaro; and tebe-sai-rain, from Viqueque. The tebe sai-rain dance, in particular, is performed on a special occasion to welcome a newborn, during a ceremony known as "fase-matan" washing of the baby's eyes.

Bidu Lensu-Mutin is a typical traditional dance from the community of the village of Suai Loro, Covalima Municipality. This dance is performed in cultural occasions such as welcoming guests, inauguration of sacred houses, “sau-batar” (corn harvest festival), and “tara-bandu”. The movement and every step of the dance is following up by traditional arrangement of music. Using a kind of dry palm leaf to give the sound and rhythm, and traditional song with local dialect give harmonies to the dance. The dance has been passed from one generation to another and up to now it is still alive within the communities.