Dom Aleixo Timorese

Aleixo Corte-Real (1886 – May 1943), better known under the name of Dom Aleixo Timorese, was a hero during World War II.

Dom Aleixo was born in Soro, Ainaro, Portuguese Timor. His birth name was Nai-Sesu. In 1931 he converted to the Catholic faith and was baptized. Corte-Real was the cousin of Nai-Cau, the Traitor Liurai, 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 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 Portugal 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.

After Aleixo also the Dom Aleixo Subdistrict from Dili District was named.