page_title: Babulo (Uato-Lari)
section_title: Aha B Uu and Cota Nisi
hierarchical_section_title: Babulo (Uato-Lari) / Inhabitants and culture / Aha B Uu and Cota Nisi
caption_attribution_description: English: Inauguration of holy house of Ahabu'u
context_page_description: Babulo is a settlement in East Timor and a Suco in the Uato-Lari Administrative Post. The Suco is one of the ethnic centers of the Naueti, and is also inhabited by the Makasae, an ethnic minority in the region. The different groups and clans are tightly connected through an ancient social structure which still has a big impact on their society today.
context_section_description: The secular leader of the Babulo (Liurai) traditionally originates from either the Aha B Uu or Cota Nisi Aldeias. They represent two lines of the same lineage, called Burmeta, whose patriarchal ancestor is said to have been a man named Boru Buti. The name Burmeta derives from the name of the Matebian in Makasae, where the mountain Bere Meta is also referred to as "The Great Black Man". According to Daralari lore, the Burmeta are descendants of warriors (asuwain), who arrived in Babulo eight generations previously from the region east of the Matebian, though this claim is debatable. Some sources claim that they had been banished from their ancestral land. The Burmeta are said to have gained their current leadership in the region through their military power and strategic marriages. According to the Daralari, the Burmeta once camped on the Baha Liurai on their way west to become the vassals of the Luca Empire. In order to forestall the alliance with the powerful neighbour, the Daralari are said to have offered to settle in the Burmeta land, for which they would take over defence of the borders (lai reinu, lai rea, "protect the people, protect the land"). The Daralari gave them the title ana bo'ona, ana tadana (the oldest and wisest son). Another name known to have been used was ita mata, kai hene ("doors and gates"), Guardian of the Gate. The Burmeta trace their leadership claim (ukun, "to lead/to reign") from a staff (rota), which they received from the ruler of the Viqueque. Aha B Uu, the most important sacred house, is located in Borulaisoba. A Makaer Luli ("Guardian of the Saints") watches over the house. This is where the regalia and other sacred objects are kept. When Babulo came under Portugal's reign, the leader of the Burmeta, as the ruler of the area, was awarded the military title of Lieutenant Colonel (Portuguese: Tenente Colonel). Since then, the village chiefs (Chefe de Suco) have come from the ranks of the Burmeta. Under the Portuguese colonial administration, he was the link to the local population. He was responsible for local disputes, tax collection, and recruitment of a labor force. Nowadays the Chefe de Suco is an elected office.
caption: Inauguration of the holy house of Ahabu'u
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