Estatua Manukoko

About

Product: Sculptures

When hearing the name Makili, people always think of the statues, which have become the identity of the Makili suco itself. From the beginning, the grandparents began to do cultural activities and they began to make a female and male statue and the two statues represented women and men from the suco of Makili and they named “Tolan atis,” The communities in the suco of Makili worshipped the two statues and believed that the two statues had the spirit to heal the sick. 

Over time, the communities began to make other images that represent the life of Makili in the past, such as the images of people carrying fish equipment, the images of women holding baskets for horticulture activities, traditional horticulture activities, boats and goggles, as well as images of animals such as cows, fish, etc. 

In order to make a statue, communities must go into the forest to look for and cut a tree called Ai-Lalar, which is so soft that it is easy for them to carve the statues.

Group Profile

The Estatua Manukoko Group was long established and led by Vicente Soares, the head of the group and has three members. This group was created with the aim of preserving and further promoting the tradition of the Statue as the identity of the suco of Makili. 

However, each member produces his own products and takes them to the centre to show and sell. Because the group is small, it is easy for the group to meet to organise their cultural activities and to share materials to continue producing. 

The group is located in the suco of Makili, Atauro and to reach the place, it is necessary to walk by foot through the beach.

Handicrafts