The panel aims to share the results of some researches carried out in Atauro during the last decade, in a multi-disciplinary approach. Three particular issues are to be discussed: 1. Dynamics of production and reproduction of local knowledge and their impact on people cosmology and everyday life; 2. Cultural policies led by governance agents as the State, local leaders, non-governmental organizations, churches, among others; 3. The impact of local knowledge on the making of biodiversity and other cultural heritage.  To unveil some of the complexes mediations by which collective life (of human and non-human) has been negotiated in Atauro is the main objective of the panel.