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Macau
KNOWLEDGE OF Macau
Long before this tiny patch of land became associated with Portugal, Macau was a haven for seafarers. Pirates and fishermen alike sought refuge from typhoons within Macau’s natural harbours and small inlets. Bringing their beliefs with them, these seafarers built a temple to their goddess of safe passage, A-Ma. From this springs the name “A-Ma-Gau (Bay of A-Ma), the forerunner of the modern name of Macau.
It was not until 1557, after many protracted rounds of negotiation with the Chinese, that the Portuguese rented the Macau peninsula as a trading base. In exchange, the Portuguese had to evict the marauding pirates from the surrounding seas. A fair price, some would say, since this could only have served Portuguese interests.
Once legally established in Macau, the Portuguese set about establishing trade routes. Since imperial decree forbade Chinese citizens to leave China, the Portuguese acted as sole agents for mainland traders. No doubt the barrier gate saw many a trader passing through into China.
The most lucrative trade route started with Chinese silks and porcelains to India’s west coast, where the Portuguese exchanged goods for textiles. The sea merchants then took their cargo of fabrics to Malacca, another one of their Asian outposts, before departing to Japan with cargos of aromatic woods and spices. After a trading stop in the land of the rising sun, it was back to Macau, laden down with beautiful lacquer-ware, intricate fans, swords and silver. The Portuguese would then barter this booty for more Chinese goods, and so the whole cycle started all over again.
Of course, acting as sole agents for the Chinese made the Portuguese very rich. One just has to look at the beauty of the Leal Senado and the colonial villas that dot the hills of the peninsula to appreciate the wealth that came with this trade.
Religion has also played a major part in Macau’s history. In 1575, the Catholic diocese of Macau was established. The territory was now Catholic, even if it was not Portuguese. Taking on the role of City in the Name of God, Macau soon boasted a multitude of churches, the most of impressive of which was the Basilica of Sao Paulo, of which only the façade remains today. Other more complete examples include the Guia Chapel, Sao Agostinho, Sao Domingos, Sao Lorenco and the Chapel of our Lady of Penha.
It was not until 1557, after many protracted rounds of negotiation with the Chinese, that the Portuguese rented the Macau peninsula as a trading base. In exchange, the Portuguese had to evict the marauding pirates from the surrounding seas. A fair price, some would say, since this could only have served Portuguese interests.
Once legally established in Macau, the Portuguese set about establishing trade routes. Since imperial decree forbade Chinese citizens to leave China, the Portuguese acted as sole agents for mainland traders. No doubt the barrier gate saw many a trader passing through into China.
The most lucrative trade route started with Chinese silks and porcelains to India’s west coast, where the Portuguese exchanged goods for textiles. The sea merchants then took their cargo of fabrics to Malacca, another one of their Asian outposts, before departing to Japan with cargos of aromatic woods and spices. After a trading stop in the land of the rising sun, it was back to Macau, laden down with beautiful lacquer-ware, intricate fans, swords and silver. The Portuguese would then barter this booty for more Chinese goods, and so the whole cycle started all over again.
Of course, acting as sole agents for the Chinese made the Portuguese very rich. One just has to look at the beauty of the Leal Senado and the colonial villas that dot the hills of the peninsula to appreciate the wealth that came with this trade.
Religion has also played a major part in Macau’s history. In 1575, the Catholic diocese of Macau was established. The territory was now Catholic, even if it was not Portuguese. Taking on the role of City in the Name of God, Macau soon boasted a multitude of churches, the most of impressive of which was the Basilica of Sao Paulo, of which only the façade remains today. Other more complete examples include the Guia Chapel, Sao Agostinho, Sao Domingos, Sao Lorenco and the Chapel of our Lady of Penha.
Chapi