Dom Aleixo Timorese

Aleixo Corte- Real ( * 1886 in Soro, Ainaro, Portuguese Timor, † May 1943 ) better known under the name of Dom Aleixo was a Timorese hero during the Second World War. His birth name was Nai- Sesu. He converted in 1931 to Catholicism and was baptized. Corte-Real was the nephew of Nai- Cau, the traitor - Liurai, who was on the Portuguese side during the rebellion of Manufahi. Here Aleixo was fighting 1911-1912 on the part of the Portuguese against Boaventura, the Liurai of Manufahi. Dom Aleixo was at this time already Liurai of Ainaro.

1934 represented Dom Aleixo Portuguese- Timor at of the Great Colonial Exhibition in Porto.

In 1942 the Japanese occupied the island Timor. Australia began the resistance against the Japanese to organize and built thereby on the support of the native population. However, there were also the Colunas Negras ( the black columns ), Timorese militiamen on sides of the Japanese, who terrorized the civilian population until the end the Japanese occupation.

Dom Aleixo Corte-Real led to a large revolt against the Japanese. Eventually he became 1943 encircled of the Colunas Negras and regular Japanese troops, and was than the ammunition to the end, imprisoned taken. Shortly thereafter, Aleixo and his family were shot, because he remain faithful Portugal and the Portuguese Flag the he hidden, non wanted to out give.

In Ainaro a monument for this East Timorese folk heroes was constructed, which has today still well preserved. After Aleixo also of the subdistrict Dom Aleixo by the district Dili was named.

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