Dom Aleixo Timorese

Dom Aleixo was born in Soro, Ainaro, Portuguese Timor. His birth name was Nai-Sesu. Corte-Real was the cousin of Nai-Cau, during the rebellion of Manufahi stood on the side of Portugal. Here Aleixo already fought 1911-1912 on the part of the Portuguese against Boaventura, the Liurai of Manufahi. Dom Aleixo become the Liurai of Ainaro after 1912. In 1931 he converted to the Catholic faith and was baptized.[1] In 1934 he represented Portuguese Timor at the Grand Colonial Exhibition in Porto. In 1942 Japan occupied the island of Timor. Australia began to organize resistance against the Japanese and built it on the support of the local population. However, there was also the Colunas Negras (the black columns), Timorese militiamen on the part of the Japanese, who terrorized the civilian population by the end of the Japanese occupation. Dom Aleixo Corte-Real, led to a major revolt against the Japanese. Finally, in 1943, he was surrounded by the Colunas Negras and regular Japanese troops, and served as the ammunition to end captured. Shortly thereafter, Aleixo and his family were shot because he remain faithful to Portuguese regime and the Portuguese flag, which he hid, did not want to give out. In Ainaro a monument to these East Timorese folk hero was erected, which is still well preserved.

On October 30, 1946, he was made Commander of the Military Order of Torre e Espada, of Valor, Loyalty and Merit posthumously.[2] At the district headquarters in Ainaro a monument was erected to this Timorese hero that is still in good condition. In his honor, it was also given the name of Dom Aleixo Subdistrict to one of the six subdistricts in the Dili district. A series of banknotes of 20$00, 50$00, 100$00, 500$00 and 1,000$00 escudos from Portuguese Timor was printed with your image.

• Battle of Timor

• Humberto Leitão, O Régulo Timorense D. Aleixo Corte-Real Edição do Corpo de Estudos da História da Marinha, 1979.