Abstract
This article explores how in Timor-Leste the implementation of national law is shaped by local conditions. In Oecussi District, the ability of the state to regulate hunting is both constrained and enabled
by the continuing importance of indigenous (meto) socio-spiritual frameworks ontologically distinct
from those assumed to be normative by both the State and outside actors. Through the case study of a
public servant tasked with upholding these laws, I show how in Timor-Leste the seeming stability of
centralized control cloaks a more complex reality whereby the daily practice of governance emerges
from the interaction of local perspectives on nature and governance with state authorized authority
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 55-69 |
Journal | Oceania |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2020 |