Abstract
This chapter explores the role of national heroes in constructing and representing national identity. It builds on scholarship on nationalism and identity symbols to demonstrate how hero-figures perform similar functions to symbols in identity formation and imaginings. In times of political uncertainty, difficulty, or flux, national heroes are sought after for leadership and inspiration, and have the potential to unite a diverse national community under a common identity and shared values. Dom Boaventura is an undisputed national hero in Timor-Leste and the focus of analysis is the (re)construction and (re)presentation of this hero-figures in state narratives as the embodiment of the national character; of funu (struggle), strength, and an indigenous, ethno-cultural heritage. Considering this, the chapter examines how Dom Boaventura’s symbolic capital has been appropriated and mobilised by political actors at both the state and grassroots levels in order to draw on his legitimacy and authority, and to gain popular support.
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Notes
- 1.
Maria Todorova argues that ‘[it] should be no coincidence that the great interest in heroes as well as the beginning of the study of heroic myth falls on the high age of nationalism’ (2009, p. 185).
- 2.
The first encounters of the European powers with the island of Timor in the early sixteenth century detail the existing pre-colonial social structure of kingdoms (see Kammen 2010, pp. 244–269).
- 3.
José Ramos-Horta was the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste from 2006 to 2007, and President of the Republic from 2007 until 2012.
- 4.
When independence from Portugal was declared in 1975, Xavier do Amaral was instated as the President of the Republic, albeit for a number of days. Xavier do Amaral died in 2012, shortly before the parliamentary elections took place.
- 5.
The first political independence movement was also named the ASDT, but reformed and was renamed as Fretilin (Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente) in 1974.
- 6.
The same regions held the most support for the ASDT in the following elections of 2007 and 2012. In 2007, the ASDT-PSD coalition was strongest in Ailieu (47.3%), Ainaro (29.1%) and Manufahi (26.8%) (McWilliam and Bexley 2008, p. 76). In 2012, the same regions were the areas in which the ASDT received the largest percentage of votes: Ailieu (6.9%), Ainaro (4.21%), Manufahi (2.85%), though a significant decrease in the number of votes received should also be noted (STAE 2012).
- 7.
José Ramos-Horta held the office of President of the state from 2006 until 2007. His successful political career throughout the occupation and international recognition as a respected statesman significantly aided his presidential election campaign.
- 8.
This position had long been disputed by some members of Fretilin, who recognised Nicolau Lobato as the first President as a result of do Amaral’s surrender to the Indonesian military in the late 1970s.
- 9.
Alfredo Reinado’s official rank was not Major, but Lieutenant Commander, though he was popularly referred to as the ‘Major’ (Callinan 2008).
- 10.
The name ‘petitioners’ came after 200 of the disaffected soldiers signed a petition outlining their grievances to give to the then president, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão in January 2006 (Leach 2017, p. 175).
- 11.
Major Reinado was arrested and incarcerated in June 2006, though he escaped shortly after. He claimed, ‘I just walk out the door […] I tell them that I want to go out. They let me go’ (cited in Bullock 2007).
- 12.
Popular belief in the protection offered by ancestral spirits to worthy subjects is prevalent; it was believed that many Falintil guerrillas were similarly protected and hidden from Indonesian soldiers in the mountains during the occupation (Bovensiepen 2011).
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Arthur, C.E. (2019). The Spirit of Rebellion: National Heroes, Dom Boaventura, and Personifying National Identity. In: Political Symbols and National Identity in Timor-Leste. Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98782-8_4
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