Architecture

Since each ethnic group in Timor-Leste (East Timor) has its unique traditions and customs, there is a significant amount of architectural diversity there. But because almost all buildings have been made of wood, very few have survived to the present day, and most of what is still standing today—aside from a few structures—is from the previous century.

The totem house is a type of early and still-present indigenous architecture in Timor-Leste. Examples of these constructions may be seen all over the nation, albeit they differ depending on the location and ethnic background. Because they shelter the spirits of the family's ancestors, uma lulik also means "spirit houses." Every ten years, they were constructed to assist the community to maintain its ties to the land and its ancestors.

A small number of Portuguese-inspired structures can be seen in Timor-Leste as a result of the Portuguese legacy. The majority of these structures in this type are churches or structures in the Dili capital. Today, Portugal has a fair number of modern structures made mostly of concrete and glass, continuing the country's longstanding practice of building with stone, concrete, and other more durable materials.