Wehale

Wehali was a kingdom centred on Laran in south central Timor, whose South Tetun-speaking people followed a matrilineal order. Its paramount, the Maromak Oan, held ritual seniority over other Timorese rulers and kept a regent titled Liurai.

When Pigafetta visited in 1522, Wewiku-Wehali was already a leading island power. Portuguese attacks in 1642 and 1665 curtailed it. After the 1749 Battle of Penfui it leaned towards the Dutch; in 1756 its Liurai signed a treaty with envoy Paravicini, claiming authority over dozens of Timorese kingdoms.