Portuguese in Shanghai The Portuguese population of Shanghai was monitored by the Shanghai Municipal Government. It rose from 6 in 1850 to a peak of 2281 after World War II. Statistics are plotted in this graph. The book Portuguese in Shanghai by Wang Zhicheng (Fundação Macau, 1998) records much valuable information, including a list of 2,400 residents […]
MACAU: TRIUMPH AND TRIBULATION by Stuart Braga Written at the request of Ed Rozario, President of the Casa de Macau Australia, this series of six essays outlines several aspects of the turbulent history of Macau over a period of four centuries. They were first published in ‘Casa Down Under’ the newsletter of the Casa de
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The great days of Macau 1557-1640 by Stuart Braga First published in the Casa de Macau (Australia) Bulletin The first Portuguese attempts to trade with China in the early 16th century ended in disaster when an embassy was despatched to the Imperial Court at Peking, led by Tomé Pires whose book Suma Oriental was an important reference
Surrender, or we’ll flatten Macau by Stuart Braga Article originally published in Casa de Macau Australia Bulletin of 10 July 2009 A little over two centuries ago, little Macau, remote and isolated from world affairs, narrowly escaped being caught up in the worldwide struggle between Britain and France under Napoleon. Fearing that the French might
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By the Skin of its Teeth by Stuart Braga Article originally published in Casa de Macau Bulletin The Portuguese authorities in Macau between September and December 1808 faced the most serious challenge to Portuguese rule since the Dutch attack in 1622. This time, a powerful British force landed and remained for three months, though, curiously,
The Happy Valley Race Course Fire of 1918 Roy Eric Xavier April 2012 This article appears in the website Far East Currents, created by Dr Roy Eric Xavier of University of California Berkeley, who is devoted to research on the Portuguese community in Hong Kong. Dr Xavier has kindly given permission for it to be reproduced
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Articles on History This section of the library provides a selection of articles. Names of authors are listed alphabetically in the Portuguese manner (e.g., da Silva appears under “S” for Silva) Bernardino de Senna Fernandes “Riri” d’Assumpção The Shroud – A ghost story recounted to generations of Macanese. The Burial at Sea – A cautionary
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Peter the Cruel by Frederic A. (Jim) Silva It must be flattering or else insulting to be a ruler of nations and men and then to have an added title bestowed for posterity by history. For instance, young King Alexander of Macedonia would probably be flattered by being labelled Alexander the Great. I am sure Suleiman the Magnificent, Peter
The Spy who Never came back Pêro da Covilhã by Frederic (Jim) Silva In the true tales of high adventure the story of Marco Polo’s travels have been indelibly recorded in history. But few have ever heard of one Pêro da Covilhã. And yet Pêro da Covilhã’s travels and exploits can come a close second to
