Maliana

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Maliana is a city in East Timor, 149 km southwest of Dili, the national capital. It has a population of 22,000. It is the capital of the district of Bobonaro, and is located just a few kilometers from the border with Indonesia.

Maliana has the potential of an Agriculture sector, especially rice production. The majority of Maliana's population is heavily dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods, this is because rice became the preferred staple food among many Timorese. Most of the population are farmers cultivating rice and maize. During Indonesian occupation there was a good irrigationsystem and management of water supply to the rice fields, however much of this was destroyed and no maintenance has occurred since Indonesia left East Timor after the East Timorese people gained independence.

During Indonesian occupation Maliana became an area of rice production storage to support other districts in East Timor, and export to other places in Atambua Western Timor. Maliana has five sub-districts consisting of Lahomea, Holsa, Ritabou, Odomau and Kor-luli. There are two main sources of water irrigation that supply water to paddy fields such Nunura River, Soso and Bui Pira river. The dialects that most people use are Bunak and Kemak but most people understand the Tetum language. Maliana had one of the preferred schools during Portuguese occupation, known as Collegio Infante sagres. This was under a catholic mission and many East Timor educated people have graduated from this senior high School.