Initially, the Rotenese people founded settlements on the island of Timor, where they engaged in manual slash-and-burn farming and used irrigation system.

[3] The main dialects are Lole (Loleh), Ringgou, Termanu, Bilba, Dengka, Dhao, Tii (Thie), Oenale and Dela (Delha).

[5] The livelihood of the Rotenese people includes agriculture,[6] animal farming, fishing, tapping Neera and palm crafting.

[3] Rotenese women work on traditional weaving handicrafts, woven Pandan leaves,[3] pottery and so on.

[9] A typical family is small and based on patrilocal marriage; where the wife resides in the community of her husband.