Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste explores Se Matebian, a ritual that takes place each year on 2 November or All Souls Day. This significant ritual honours East Timorese ancestors and brings to mind all those who died during the battle for independence from Indonesian rule from 1975 to 1999. Honouring our Ancestors looks at how the East Timorese community in Australia continues to practise this ritual today.
Se Matebian means "to whom this soul belongs". The ritual involves offerings of food for departed family and friends and prayers for their protection and guidance followed by feasting. In Timor Leste, All Souls Day celebrations also include processions to Mount Matebian which has been regarded as a resting place for souls for countless generations.
The Immigration Museum, through its Community Exhibitions, provides a forum for a community's shared voices to tell their migration story. Community exhibitions are created by communities themselves with support from the Museum. The Community Gallery has been open for over 10 years, and has hosted more than 50 Community Exhibitions.