The Story of Macau

Macau

When the Portuguese explorers landed on the coast of a little Chinese island, they saw an ancient little temple, far off the coast. They walked until they reached the tiny village on the island.

“What is this temple called?” the Portuguese questioned the local people.

“A- ma- kow,” the people of the island answered because the temple was named after the godess A-ma; and ‘kow’ in Chinese means ‘temple’.

“A-ma- co? What a name.” the Portuguese marveled.

“This place will now be called Amakow after the temple!” The Portuguese ordered. The local people, much in awe of these new people, obeyed. The government of China allowed the Portuguese to take over, provided they returned the island to them in 1999. The Portuguese agreed. The Portuguese then took over the island of Amakow.

From then on, the little island was called Amakow. As the time passed, Amakow became Macow. Then, the people began calling it Macau. Macau began to prosper under the Portuguese rule. The Portuguese ways and customs took over, but the ancient Chinese culture also stayed. This mixed culture became known as Macanese culture.

Even the people became one, called the Macanese. The Portuguese modernized and improved Macau. The little island soon became a huge port. The people became richer, the little village became a town, then a huge, bustling city. But then, the Portuguese had to leave Macau, in 1999.

The Chinese took over, and allowed the people to live as they were. The little, wild, forest covered island had become a great modern metro city.