Baucau

Baucau

Overview

Situated 129 kilometers East of Dili, Baucau covers 1,600 square kilometers of land and serves as a gateway for the neighboring districts of Lautem, Viqueque and Manatuto. The town of Baucau, which lies at about 512 meters above sea level, enjoys a more moderate temperature than most of the District. The rainy season occurs between the months of November and April.
The District is divided into six sub-districts: Baucau, Laga, and Vemasse with a coastal plain, while Venilale, Quelicai, and Baguia are located inland.

Baucau is the second largest district in East Timor with a population of about 113,000 inhabitants, according to the chiefs of village registration. During the 2001 civil registration process 96,000 inhabitants were registered.

According to UNHCR statistics returnees to Baucau District came back as follows :
1999 600 persons

1 070 persons
261 persons

2002 13 persons Total : 1 944 persons

Local languages spoken in Baucau include Makkasae for the majority , Waim’ua in Baho, Caibada, Bucoli and Vemasse Fo'ho villages, Midiki in Venilale and Naueti in Baguia. A number of people above 40 understand Portuguese and most of the others, including the younger population generally understand Bahasa Indonesia. Portuguese is being taught in all schools and some English in the secondary.

Baucau was the second town in East Timor to be settled by the Portuguese and gradually developed as an administrative center and trade port. The Portuguese constructed many of the buildings in Old town Baucau.

During the second World War the Japanese occupied Timor. There is evidence of the occupations on the road to Venilale at a sight called "Gua Tuju" (Seven Caves), where caves have been carved in the hillside called

During the Indonesian occupation, which began in early December 1975, church was especially important in keeping the identity of the Timorese people and many schools were opened and run by the church. Today, most of the schools in the district are run by the Catholic church (SDK).

Baucau is an important religious Centre with Bishop Basilio Nascimento leading the diocese. Numerous religious institutions are concentrated in the District contributing to the education and vocational training of the population.
Some Protestant churches are existing and the mosque in Baucau Vila Nova has been rebuilt for a few families practicing in the area. There is no Chinese shrine and the local families from Chinese origin have family altars in their home.

The political representation according to voting results is as follows:
Fretilin,PD, PSD, UDT, Kota, UDC/PDC. The CPD/RDTL although abstracting itself from any participation in the electoral process is regularly setting up flag raising ceremonies and keeps training security groups. The District Administration is fearing some disruption of public order during the celebration of Independence, scheduled in Baucau from 5th May to 15 May.

The District Administration is headed by Mr Marito Reis who is assisted by a Deputy, Mrs Micaela Ximenes, a Development Officer, Mr Marcelino Neto and three administrative staff. Every sub-district has a coordinator. Every public sector has a head, who coordinates closely with the District Administration.(see Annex A District Civil Service Structure).
There are currently 60 sucos officially recognized in the District, 2 more than during the Indonesian time. Those are Mulia in the sub district of Laga, made of people moved from Quelicai and Triloka made of people from Bucoli. There is now a request for two more sucos, according to the "nureps" structure adopted by the CNRT. They are Caisido and Caibada Macasai in the sub district of Baucau whose partition were adopted for geographical reasons during the Resistance. Although no official decision has been made, the suco survey of the Planning Commission included them in the Poverty Assessment process.

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