Anecdotes, Culture, History, Religion, Patuá

Portugal established a trading post in Macau in 1557 which grew and flourished to become a hub of international trade in East Asia. The Portuguese who settled there developed their own unique culture, calling themselves Macaense (in English Macanese). They survived many crises, including  an invasion by the Dutch and extreme hardship during World War II.  In time, Macau’s economy declined when it was overtaken in trade by nearby Hong Kong with its magnificent harbour.  After World War II most Macanese dispersed to seek better opportunities elsewhere – in America, Canada, Brazil, Australia and Portugal.  Their culture that evolved over four centuries is in danger of obliteration.

This website was created for the descendants of the Portuguese who had lived in Macau, in the hope that they might be stimulated to learn more about the history and culture of their forebears, to preserve some vestige of their heritage.