TIMOR LAUT, TENIMBAR or TENIMBER (Dutch, TIMOR LAOET), a group of islands in the Malay Archipelago, south-west of the Aru Islands, between 6° 20' and 8° 3o' S., and 13o° 4o' and 132° 5' E. They are on the Archaean Ridge on which the Kei Isles stand, most are of recent coralline formation, and some are volcanic. There are 66 islands, the largest being Yam dena, with an area of 1, roo sq.m., 74 m. long by 26. Thickly wooded hills extend along the east coast ; the west coast is lower, where, opposite the island of Seira, a gulf extends far inland. In places there are precipitous cliffs, and a narrow foreshore fringed with coconut palms and mangrove. There are many small islands off the western coast of Yamdena—Seira, Wuliaru, Wotar and Laibobar. The largest, Laibobar, has a volcano over 1,500 ft. Off the north-eastern coast of Yamdena, is Larat (15 m. by 6), with a rocky coast and high cliffs, and with thick vegetation along the foreshore, beyond Larat lies Vordata, which is high, and off the south-western coast, separated by Egeron Strait, Selaru, which is about 3o m. long, rather flat, and less wooded than Yamdena and Larat and with much grass land. Other islands are Molu and Selu. There are extensive swamps on many of the islands and the climate is not good, fever being very prevalent during the south-east monsoon. The soil supports crops such as maize, rice (in small stretches), coconut and sago palms, yams and fruit such as plantains, mangoes and papayas. Nlaize is the staple food. There are practically no rivers and there is a lack of fresh water. The slight depth of soil prevents trees from at taining great height. The flora includes sterculias and fig trees (Urostigma), leguminosae (trees and shrubs), myrtles, the scar let hibiscus, pandans, palms, and a species of bread-fruit tree. There are rare and lovely orchids of many kinds, crotons, dra caenas, and many varieties of ferns. The fauna, a poor one, ex cept in birds, comprises wild buffaloes, in large herds, wild pig, the cuscus, flying fox, many snakes, lizards and frogs, and 6o species of birds, including the scarlet Tory (Eos reticulate), honey eater (Philemon timorlaoensis), ground thrush (Geocichla ma chiki), and oriole (Orioleus decipiens). Butterflies are numerous, and include Papilio aberram, and amongst the beetles is a gorgeous golden-coloured buprestid (Cyphogastra splendens).
The estimated population of Timor Laut is about 25,00o. The people are undoubtedly a mixed race. Some of the men are tall, and handsome-featured, with well-formed bodies, others are short and thick-set, the complexion of nearly all being a rich chocolate brown. Forbes thinks, and the writer, who has studied them, agrees, that they are Malayo-Papuan-Polynesian, the islands being, probably, the last occupied by the Polynesian race during its eastern migration to the remote archipelagoes of the Pacific, some being left behind—to mingle with Papuans and Malays, the former, probably being the aboriginals and the latter settlers.
There are still many pagans, and a few Mohammedans. Chris tianity is making rapid headway and has succeeded, with direct Dutch rule, in extirpating cannibalism, piracy, slavery, head hunting and inter-tribal fighting. Male Christians wear cotton coats and short breeches, or sarong; the women wear sarong and kebayah, or bodice.
The pagan costume consists of loin-cloth, with a girdle, and, as full dress, bangles, armlets, ear-rings, necklaces, and a head dress of bright-coloured cloth with bunches of flowers and bird plumes. The women wear a short sarong, suspended from a belt, have necklaces and ear-rings of bone, ebony and ivory, also of gold and silver, many bangles and artistically carved combs. They carry burdens in a basket on the back, suspended from bands placed around the forehead. The men sometimes dye their hair a golden colour. Tattooing is known. They are a pleasant, trustful and fairly honest people, but the men are indolent, and the women do most of the work. Their artistic ability is high, and their houses of wood and atap, sometimes built in closely packed settlements, generally on piles and entered from under neath, have carved pillars and show much artistry of construc tion. The men are skilful boat-builders, use the spear and bow and arrow (with which they are adept in shooting fish), hunt, search for trepang and tortoise-shell, are agriculturists, keep pigs and work in iron, copper and gold. The women cultivate the fields after the men have prepared the soil, weave and dye sarongs, and plait. Villages own an Orang kayo, or head man, but the people are communal and independent. A favourite idol is termed Duadilah, the Sun-god.
Timor Laut, with two divisions, Larat and Saumlakki, is at tached to the residency of Amboyna. The capital of Yamdena is Saumlakki at the south-western end of the island, and of Larat, the town of the same name, on the narrow strait which end, opposite Yamdena.
The Timor Laut isles were first visited by Capt. Owen Stanley, in 1839, and became known to Banda traders in 1877. In 1878 H. 0. Forbes, with his wife, visited the islands and stayed there three months, being warned before going, by the Dutch authori ties, of the hostility and savagery of the inhabitants ; for all prac tical purposes, he appears to have been the first European to have stayed any length of time in Timor Laut. Since his visit, the islands have been opened up by the Dutch, and the people have proved very responsive to outside civilizing influences, whilst trade is improving. (E. E. L.)