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Post-Fieldwork Seminar by PhD candidate Pyone Myat Thu <br><br>
Human Geography Seminar Series<br><br>
23rd June 2008<br><br>
Monday, 3.30-4.30pm<br><br>
RSPAS, Coombs Building, Seminar Room C<br><br>
<br><br>
<font size=4><b>Displacement, Mobilities, and Livelihoods: Tracing
Indigenous Routes in Rural East Timor<br>
</b></font> <br>
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<b>Abstract: <br>
</b> <br>
1979 marked a significant year in which East Timorese lives were
transformed. A policy of forced relocation led by the Indonesian
occupying forces reconfigured the traditional mobilities and survival
strategies of the populace in an unanticipated manner. Rural inhabitants
of the rugged interior were effectively concentrated into ‘strategic’
camps along accessible, low-lying coastal areas so as to isolate them
from contact with the remaining resistance fighters hiding out in
mountainous areas. Despite having their movements constrained, displaced
villagers strengthened marital and pre-colonial political ties and
created host-settler networks through the negotiation of land access in
the new settlements. This seminar presents preliminary findings from my
fieldwork conducted between June 2007 and February 2008, tracing the
livelihoods of historically displaced populations in the central
highlands of Manufahi and eastern coast of Baucau. These observations
from rural East Timor reveal that while people have regained freedom of
movement since gaining independence, the militarised past has an enduring
influence in shaping patterns of mobility.<br><br>
All are welcome to attend. <br><br>
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<div>Pyone Myat Thu</div>
<br>
<br>
<div>PhD Scholar</div>
<div>Department of Human Geography</div>
<div>Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies</div>
<div>The Australian National University</div>
<div>Canberra 0200 ACT</div>
<div>AUSTRALIA</div>
<br>
<div>Phone: (02) 612 54344</div>
<div>School Fax: (02) 6257 1893</div>
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