2016/04/29 by Laura S. Meitzner Yoder · 1 citation
Engineering · Social Sciences · #Alliance #Colonialism #Corporate governance #Development economics #Economics #Economy #Engineering #Global Maritime and Colonial Histories #History #Identity (music) #Law #Maritime Security and History #Peacebuilding and International Security #Persistence (discontinuity) #Political economy #Political science #Politics #Portuguese #Sociology #Undo
paper · doi:10.1017/s0022463416000084
openalex publication_date 2016/04/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The Oecusse-Ambeno enclave of Timor has persisted as a geographically distinct zone under Portuguese governance for over three centuries, enduring repeated efforts to undo its enclave status. This article analyses the confluence of economic, religious, and political elements that brought and kept Oecusse within Portuguese rule on Timor. Strong local authorities controlled trade linkages, maintained political and military ties with colonial rule, and wove Catholicism into existing customary practices and hierarchies, forging a strong regional identity that fostered sustained alliance with the Portuguese. Finally, the article discusses the impacts of Oecusse's enclave status over the past century.