Liquiçá

Could a town’s name originate from a misunderstanding? Here in Liquiçá, the answer might be yes. One theory suggests the name comes from the Tokodede phrase “Likis Aá,” meaning “motion” or “change.” As the story goes, the Portuguese, while establishing the town, gestured to the clearing of the forest. The locals, misunderstanding the question about the area’s name, responded with “Likis Aá”, describing the very transformation they were witnessing. Liquiçá is a coastal town, located about 32 km west of Dili, Timor-Leste’s capital. It serves as the capital of Liquiçá District. The 2015 census recorded Liquiçá’s population at 5,005. This town holds a significant place in Timor-Leste’s history. During World War II, while under Japanese occupation, Liquiçá, along with Maubara, became a refuge for some members of the colonial administration. This spared them from the air raids that devastated other parts of the island. A darker chapter unfolded on April 6, 1999. During the pre-referendum violence, the Liquiçá Church Massacre claimed the lives of approximately 200 people. The attack on the Igreja de São João de Brito church involved the Besi Merah Putih militia, supported by Indonesian soldiers and police. The lead-up to the independence referendum also resulted in widespread destruction in Liquiçá. Few structures from the Portuguese and Indonesian eras survived. In the aftermath, Liquiçá became a key location for the International Police under UNTAET. Liquiçá boasts a wealth of colonial architecture. The former Headquarters of the Administrator de Liquiçá, a neoclassical structure with a grand porch and ten 5-meter columns, stands as a testament to the past. Built in 1938, it now serves the municipality. Across from it, the Primary School, constructed in the 1940s, continues to educate Liquiçá’s children. The former Residence of the Administrator, possibly built before 1910, showcases another example of neoclassical style. The Office of the Deputy Secretary of the Administrator, a carved stone colonial building from 1936, was renovated in 2016 and is now used by the Ministry of Public Works. The former Municipal School, also predating 1910, was the district’s first school. Other notable buildings include the Hotel Tokodede and the Parish Church of Liquiçá, the Igreja de São João de Brito. Liquiçá is more than just its tragic past. It’s a town steeped in history, resilient and rebuilding, with echoes of its past whispering in its streets and buildings.