Makasae is one of the languages that is widely spoken in the eastern part of Timor-Leste (East Timor), particularly in the three districts of Baucau, Viqueque and Lospalos. Speakers from these districts have no problem understanding each other; that is, mutual intelligibility exists. Even though there are no major morphological differences, varieties of Makasae display lexical and phonological variation.  Differences are seen mostly in accents and vocabulary. For example, names of fruits differ.  Makasae Baucau is further divided into into six distinct varieties as follows: Baguia, Quelicai, Laga, Baucau Cidade, and Fatumaka. Our documentation webpage focuses on Makasae Fatumaka.  Feel free to browse the teamwork page for more about who we are.
    Makasae Fatumaka is spoken in the four neighboring villages of Buibau, Samalari, Uailili and Gariuai.  Prior to and during Portuguese colonialism in Timor-Leste (circa 1519-1975), all of these villages constituted one kingdom called Fatumaka.  However, under Indonesian occupation (1975-1999), Fatumaka was split into four small villages by the Indonesian military, for ease of control and for security reasons.

   Genetically, Makasae is one of four Trans-New Guinea (Papuan) languages of Timor-Leste.  It is bordered on the west by Austronesian languages, which comprise 79 percent of the languages of Timor-Leste.  Fatuluku, another Trans-New Guinea (Papuan) language, borders Makasae on the east.  Makasae is categorized within the South Bird's Head branch of Trans-New Guinea language family.