Belak (jewelry)
A belak ( tetum for disk ) is part of the traditional costume of various Timorese ethnic groups. It is a round disc, mostly made of bronze , but also gold or silver . It is worn on a chain or cord around the neck, in front of the chest.
origin
In the past, warriors who returned from successful headhunting were given the title Assuai (the brave) and given a belak or a bracelet as a sign of victory. Belaks are still used today as a gift from the groom to the bride's family.
meaning
As a moon symbol , the belak stands for femininity, coldness, passivity, fertility and ritual power. Its masculine counterpart is the Kaibauk , a crown in the shape of buffalo horns that symbolizes the sun, heat, activity, security and political power. Belak and Kaibauk together symbolize harmony and balance by complementing each other.
gallery
Man in traditional clothing with a belak
Presidential candidate José Ramos-Horta with Kaibauk and Belak during an election campaign appearance
Belaks at the celebration of the visit of the future President Xanana Gusmão in Same , East Timor, 2000
Belak made of gold from Atsabe (ca.1930)
Others
The circular state emblem of East Timor is officially called Belak . The conservative, monarchist Partido do Povo de Timor (PPT) uses a stylized Belak in its coat of arms in its flag.
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Dictionary Tetum - English
- ^ A b Nasrin Khan and Selma Hyati: Bride-Price and Domestic Violence in Timor-Leste. A comperative study of married-in and married-out cultures in four districts , September 2012 ( Memento of the original from November 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF file, 628 kB), accessed on September 16, 2013
- ↑ Monika Schlicher: Portugal in East Timor. A critical study of the Portuguese colonial history in East Timor from 1850 to 1912. Aberag, Hamburg 1996, ISBN 3-934376-08-8 .
- ↑ Barrkman, Joanna: Husi bei ala Timor Sira Nia Liman - from the Hands of our Ancestors, The art and craft of Timor-Leste, publisher: Darwin, NT Museum and Art Gallery, Northern Territory in partnership with the Dirrecção Nacional da Cultura, República Democrática de Timor-Leste, 2008 , ISBN 978-0-9775022-3-3 , accessed February 11, 2016.
- ↑ Josh Trindade: Lulik: The Core of Timorese Values , accessed November 6, 2017.
- ^ Website of the Government of Timor-Leste
