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Poetry: A Long Journey to Independence – Filomena dos Reis written: Oct.08 1999

This poem written in 1999, has been published in ‘Written in Blood’ by Filomena Barros dos Reis. Performed November 10th 2007 at the Boite Cafe to Commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Suai Church Massacre.

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A Long Journey to Independence
We did not want to be slaves in our own land
We wanted to have self-rule
We wept and screamed for twenty-five years
Because we wanted self-determination
To rule ourselves
We, the women of Timor-Leste
Shed tears, wept and screamed
Because we wanted self-rule, to have self-rule
We did not want to be slaves in our
own land
We stood! We stepped ahead
With courage and folded fist
We screamed louder!
Live or die, we wanted independence
We shed our blood
Flowing like a river
In every corner of Timor-LesteThe women of Timor-Leste forgot
their suffering
Because independence has now been accomplished.



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3 Responses to “Poetry: A Long Journey to Independence – Filomena dos Reis written: Oct.08 1999”

  1. Hi Jen,

    Here’s a beautiful poem, translated to tetum 🙂
    I love the message it brings!

    Best regards*

    Dalan Naruk ba Independensia

    Ami lakohi atu sai atan iha ami nia Rai
    Ami hakarak iha lei rasik
    Ami tanis no hakilar durante tinan rua nulu resin lima
    Tanba ami hakarak atu determinasaun
    Atu ukun an no iha lei rasik
    Ami, feto Timor oan,
    Fakar matan-been, tanis no hakilar tiha ona
    Tanba ami hakarak iha lei rasik, atu hetan lei rasik
    ami lakohi atu sai atan iha ami nia rain nebe ami horik ba.
    Ami hakat ba oin ho
    Aten-barani no kumu-liman
    Ami bolu hakilar!
    Moris ka mate, ami hakarak independensia
    Ami nia ran nakfakar
    Suli hanesan mota
    To’o sikun hotu iha Timor Leste
    Ami, feto timoroan, haluha tiha ona
    Katak uluk ami terus
    Tanba independensia ne mak los

    Autora: Filomena dos Reis
    Tradusaun: Sara Moreira & Zulmira Ximenes

  2. Hey Sara and Zulmira, Obrigada barak – thank you very much for your contribution to the preservation of Tetun and Timorese culture on suai media space…Ha’u senta haksolok barak :).

  3. […] politics, business, sports, entertainment, real estate, classifieds for the expatriate community.Suai Media Space Blog Archive Poetry: A Long Journey to …Poetry: A Long Journey to Independence Filomena dos Reis written: Oct.08 1999 … has been published […]