The First Edition of Lia Dadolin

Lia Dadolin is a journal produced and published by the Manse Nsae Research Center. The first edition of Lia Dadolin has been just launched. Lia Dadolin publishes articles in both English and Indonesian.

The name of this journal, Lia Dadolin, was first introduced by Rev. Stanis Bessin SVD and Rev. Gregor Neonbasu SVD. Rev. Bessin is one of the former Provincial Superiors of the Divine Word Missionaries, Timor Province in Indonesia. He himself has a deep love of the Timorese cultures. Rev. Neonbasu has a Doctorate in Anthropology from the Australian National University. He has actively written and published articles and books particularly on Timor and her cultures. Currently, he is the Director of the Manse Nsae Research Center.

Every name has a meaning. Lia Dadolin, is a phrase in Tetun, one of the languages in Timor. This phrase consists of two words: Lia and Dadolin. Lia means word, voice, message, fruit and sound. The word Dadolin originates from the words dolin-dolin which means “to go, to proclaim, to extend, to pass on”. The prefix da is later attached to dolin-dolin in which the word Dadolin is formed. Dadolin literally means “something that happens so many times” or “something that happens continuously”. The term Lia Dadolin, therefore, addresses the continuous process of proclaiming the Word of God till the Word lives in the heart of mankind and in the mind of those who listen to it.

In this first edition of Lia Dadolin, experts from various backgrounds discuss themes such as leadership, spirituality and theology, human resources and education in East Nusa Tenggara, economic development in the context of Timor and the basic principles for developing the right rule of law based upon the Indonesian experience. Since this is the first edition, Rev. Fr. Felix Kosat SVD, the Provincial Superior of SVD Timor Province has a privilege to introduce the journal. Following this introduction, the Director of the Center, Dr Gregor Neonbasu SVD wrote an article in which he introduces the Manse Nsae Research Center, its vision and mission, commitment and strategic steps towards the social and cultural studies in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.****