Macau is a small island near China that was once colonized by Portugal for a period of time. We want to get to know the culture of the people of Macau. Stay with Saed News.
Macau (in English: Macau) is a peninsula in the South China Sea that was a Portuguese colony until 1999, but is now considered part of the Special Administrative Regions of China. This region, which is self-governed, has a population of 650,900 and covers an area of 115.3 square kilometers. On April 13, 1987, Portugal and China began negotiations regarding Macau’s status, and finally on December 20, 1999, Portugal agreed to return Macau to China on the condition that Macau would become an administrative, commercial, and trading region, and that China would grant Macau economic and social autonomy for 50 years. Macau’s culture is a blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures.
Religion in Macau is mainly represented by Chinese folk religions and Buddhism. The Catholic Church became one of the dominant religions during the period when the city was under Portuguese rule (1555–1999), but today its presence has greatly diminished. Government information reports that nearly 80% of the people follow Buddhism. According to the 1991 census, the latest religious data, 16.8% of Macau’s population were Buddhists, 6.7% Catholics, and 61% followed other religions or none. Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of the population occasionally visit temples. Another survey conducted between 2005 and 2009 shows that 30% of people follow folk religions, 10% follow Buddhism or Taoism, 5% are Christians, and the rest do not declare any religious affiliation.
The mixing of Chinese and Portuguese cultures in this region for 400 years has created a new set of customs, religious traditions, holidays, festivals, and other events that have transformed Macau into a land of unique customs. During the colonial period, society was primarily divided into three groups: the Portuguese, often immigrants sent or appointed from Portugal; the Creoles; and the Chinese. Economically, the Portuguese were the dominant ruling class in Macau, although the Chinese quickly formed a powerful class due to business success and ties to the mainland. After the December 1999 handover, the Portuguese political elite gradually gave way to Chinese leadership in government and civil services. The Chinese became more prominent among the leading social classes of the Macanese. The Portuguese tend to be more closed off, while the Macanese, due to their Chinese cultural background, find themselves in a more vulnerable position. About 95% of Macau’s population is ethnically Chinese, and 1% is of mixed Chinese-Portuguese descent. Cantonese is the majority language spoken in Macau. Hokkien, Mandarin, and to some extent Portuguese are also used.
Macanese culture emphasizes family unity, generational solidarity, respectful public behavior toward the powerful, and respect for parents and elders. These values are largely preserved in Macau’s urban culture. The Portuguese and Macanese form relatively cohesive Catholic subgroups with distinct values and preferences. Meanwhile, superstition plays a fundamental role among some individuals. For example, certain ethnic groups consider incorporating superstition into investment decisions. Superstitions in this country span many fields. For instance, the superstition regarding the perceived lack of need for young girls to pursue education in Macau is prevalent but strongly opposed by the girls themselves. There are also superstitions concerning marriage outside the family. Over recent years, Macau’s cultural situation has evolved to include changes in the domain of marriage.
People in Macau wear flashy clothing, especially among women. Women tend to prefer luxurious attire and try to dress more elegantly. Young girls also commonly wear clothes with lots of ruffles. Formal dress is highly valued and is used as an indicator of a person’s economic status. Those who wear lavish clothing are considered to have higher material wealth, a contrast to those who wear more revealing clothing, which is less common. People try to maintain formal dress codes in offices, and social expectations for such attire are evident. The clothing style in Macau is considered one of the city’s top tourist attractions and also a source of income.
Macau is known as the Las Vegas of Asia, where tourists can enjoy its sights day and night. For those who enjoy walking and nightlife tours, Macau is called the paradise of night tourists. Visitors can enjoy a variety of cafes and night restaurants and have a great time well into the night.
