Embracing Our Roots: How Culture Impacts Our Lives

Stepping off the plane at Dili, Timor Leste’s capital, I didn’t know what to think or feel. To be honest, I was just glad that my parents had made it to their original homeland soil. The hot sun glaring into my eyes and warmth of this tropical island enveloping us. This trip was a present to dad from his children for his 80th, and given mum’s health concerns in the past weeks with the cancer maintenance therapy, I wasn’t totally sure we would all get here. But here we were!

Our faces plastered with curiosity and relief to have arrived at ground zero where our parents began their lives, and also the place of birth for my brothers and me. Our extended family of nearly 30 of us - my cousins joining their parents, my aunties and uncles too - beamed as we lined up for the arrival process in the half opened tin roof airport.

Timor Leste is a land of hospitable people with broad smiles and open hearts. There is a simplicity in the East Timorese people that really moved me and pulled at my heart strings. I think this trip did more for me than I realized. It helped me to understand that my humble beginnings have shaped me more than I acknowledge but they don’t necessarily determine where I end up in life. My own decisions and actions do. What I also realized from being in Timor Leste is that we really don’t need much in life to be content. Most people did not seem rushed as they sat at their front porches, some under tall thatched roofs in their iconic Timorese houses and relaxed the day away. They didn’t have much but they seemed content.

As we drove through the countryside to Baucau, where my parents showed me the original family home and the room I was born in, tears trickled down my mother’s face. She never thought she would return after we fled for safety because of the Indonesian invasion of Timor Leste in 1975. My dad was also overcome with emotions when he located his own father’s headstone on a small mountain in what seemed like the middle of nowhere in regional Aileu.

This trip was a celebration of family and people, rediscovering and embracing our cultural roots. The East Timorese have a culture of hospitality. We were surrounded by kindness, welcomed by communities of earthly people with drums, traditional dances and delicious home-cooked dishes.

Taking in all the experiences, I have a greater appreciation for how my upbringing and cultural heritage have made my sense of self very collective and inclusive. This influences my work, how I help people, and my efforts to be mindfully considerate in all my relationships.

Below is a visual journey of parts of Timor Leste I love, the natural beauty of its beaches, the iconic thatched architecture, the warmth and simplicity of the people, and the wonderful produce with delightful delicacies.

I constantly reflect on how culture shapes us, knowing it helps me make sense of my life and live more fully. In navigating the complexities of modern life, staying connected to our roots is essential. Our cultural heritage provides a foundation for our identities, enhancing our well-being and fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

Take a moment to reflect on your journey.

How has your cultural background shaped you? What lessons have you learned from your heritage, and how do they guide you today?

Think about your cultural identity.

How do you balance your cultural heritage with new influences? What aspects of your culture do you cherish, and which new values have you adopted?

Reflect on the generational dynamics in your family.

How do cultural values differ between generations? What steps can you take to bridge these differences?

In the following weeks, I will be sharing more about culture and interviewing a world authority on intercultural issues. Stay tuned for insights that will deepen your understanding of the intricate interplay between culture and identity.

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About the Author

Lidia Lae, Ph.D., is a writer, psychologist, and speaker, committed to empowering individuals and organisations to build healthier cultures for meaningful contribution.