Traditional rites a burden: Regent

DILI, East Timor: Ermera Regent Constantino Soares claims that much of the poverty in his regency stems from the community's lavish traditional ceremonies rather than a lack of resources.

"Ermera is known as the largest producer of coffee in East Timor so that means economically the people here aren't poor.

"The poverty stems from their inability to manage their finances," he said, as quoted by Antara Sunday.

Constantino said that various traditional ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, were ostentatious and exhausted families' savings. (mds)