Ema
In Timorese animist tradition, ema are ancestor spirits who dwell in the realm of lulik — the sacred, potent force that animates the landscape and connects the living with their forebears. These spirits are guardians of the uma lulik (sacred house), the ritual heart of every Timorese clan, where heirloom objects, buffalo horns, and sacred relics are kept. The Timorese believe that ancestors continue to participate in daily life, watching over their descendants and influencing the fertility of crops, the health of livestock, and the outcome of important endeavors. Communication with ema occurs