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.

The Masai Warriors

The Masai

The Masai live in North Tanzania and Kenya. They are a traditional and amazing group of people, and one of the most well known tribes in Africa. They have many ancient stories and fables. Here is one of their most interesting ones:

The Origin of Death

In the beginning, there was no death. 

This is the story of how death began.

When Naiteru-Kop bought the first man, Leeyio to earth, he told him, "When a person dies, and you are called to throw the corpse away, remember to say, 'Man die and come back, moon die and go away.'"

When Leeyio was called to dispose the corpse of the neighbors dead child, he got confused and said, "Man die and go away, Moon die and come back again.'' 

So the body was disposed, and after a few months, Leeyio's own child died. He said, as he was disposing the body, "Moon die and go away, man die and come back again." 

Naiteru- kop, on hearing this, said to Leeyio, "When your neighbor's child died, you should have thought about this and said the words correctly. Now you are too late." 

So that is how death originated and why when the moon dies it comes back again, and when a man dies he doesn't return.

The Masai are a great warrior tribe, and one of the few tribes in Africa, who, even in the modern world, have still managed to live in their old, traditional ways and follow their old traditions. True, some Masai people have moved to towns, and cities for an easier life, but most still remain in their homeland. They live in their traditional mud huts, and tend to their cattle. 

Masai believe the rain God, Ngai, entrusted cattle to them, and cattle are wealth. They drink the blood of the cow, mixed with cow's milk. (Poor cow, giving milk, and getting killed and mixed with its own product!). Their huts, called Kraal, are surrounded by thorns, so wild animals can't get in. 

Masai language is called Maa. They use Animal skins and cushions of grass for comfort. The women make things out of beads: necklaces, headdresses, etc. Masai warriors are called 'Morani'. (Their words seem to begin with 'M' don't they?).

The Masai used to hunt wildlife in Kenya and Tanzania, but now it is banned. 

Tourists can meet and watch Masai at some National parks. (Hope Masai don't feel bad, being watched and protected like animals). 

The Masai are one of the most unique of all the great African Cultures.