Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Indonesia ( Kupang Regency, Semau Island, Flores Island) | |
Languages | |
Helong language, Indonesian language | |
Religion | |
Christianity (predominantly) | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Atoni, Kemak people, Rotenese people |
Helong people are one of the indigenous inhabitants of Timor Island, in Indonesia. [1] Most of them live in Kupang Regency, namely in West Kupang and Central Kupang; and some also settled in Flores Island and Semau Island. [2] [3] Their livelihoods are mainly farming, hunting, fishing, and making traditional crafts. [2]
They speak a native language called Helong, which has two dialects, the Helong Semau dialect and the Eastern Land Helong dialect. [2] Helong speakers are found in four villages on the South-Western coast of West Timor, as well as on Semau Island, a small island just off the coast of West Timor. [4]
The smallest Helong family system is a nuclear family, which then joins into a limited larger family (ngalo). [2] Some ngalo joins to form a clan (ingu) which is led by a clan leader (koka ana). [2] In terms of social strata, the ancient Helong community was divided into three layers, the nobility (usif), ordinary people (tob), and slaves (ata). [2]
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Indonesia ( Kupang Regency, Semau Island, Flores Island) | |
Languages | |
Helong language, Indonesian language | |
Religion | |
Christianity (predominantly) | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Atoni, Kemak people, Rotenese people |
Helong people are one of the indigenous inhabitants of Timor Island, in Indonesia. [1] Most of them live in Kupang Regency, namely in West Kupang and Central Kupang; and some also settled in Flores Island and Semau Island. [2] [3] Their livelihoods are mainly farming, hunting, fishing, and making traditional crafts. [2]
They speak a native language called Helong, which has two dialects, the Helong Semau dialect and the Eastern Land Helong dialect. [2] Helong speakers are found in four villages on the South-Western coast of West Timor, as well as on Semau Island, a small island just off the coast of West Timor. [4]
The smallest Helong family system is a nuclear family, which then joins into a limited larger family (ngalo). [2] Some ngalo joins to form a clan (ingu) which is led by a clan leader (koka ana). [2] In terms of social strata, the ancient Helong community was divided into three layers, the nobility (usif), ordinary people (tob), and slaves (ata). [2]