From Singleness To Plurality

The Macaense or Filho da Terra, as an unique cultural feature in Macau, is a special ethnic group in Macau's history. Its existence and development not only represents the multi-mixture of the eastern and western bloodline, but also means the integration of that mixed culture in terms of history. Under the specific historical and geographical influences and as an ethnic Group mainly composed of Portuguese and Chinese, their way of thinking and attitude while substantially different from both the Portuguese and Chinese has its own characteristic---Macanese style, in which Catholic religion is one of the most important symbol of its ethnicity. Focusing on their religion, basing on anthropological fieldwork done in Macau and also on historical review, this thesis turns to be a research of attempt to inquire the floods of their religious transformation and furthermore to understand the dynamics of it. At last to trace answers for the question of Macaense community's future in Macau.Capters 2 and 3 of this thesis unveil the origin of Macaense in historical context of Macau as to identify the core elements of their cultural identity and ethnicity. By means of such research, definition of the extension of the concept"Macaense"has been found. Then, tracing back to the Colonial Era of Portugal, it was made possible to picture the catholic religion tradition of Macaense before 20th century and their religious traditions and currents In contemporary Macau. In the following chapters 4 and 5, according to the data of the said fieldwork, the research presents a current and gradual transformation that dated back from the 20th century for religion practice of the Macaense had changed from a single and orthodox catholic tradition to a multiple and mixed one. Also, it analyses the dynamics behind the Said current.In such trend,"multiple and mixed phenominum"does not mean the co–existence of several different religions in a same time. Actually it represents a hybrid of diverse religions. Not completely abandoning catholicism or converting into other religions in Macau, and by judging the Macanese contemporary religious attitude, discourse and practice , it is easy to recognize the elements from other religions of Macau especially from Chinese Buddhism, Taoism and grass–root religions synchronously with Catholicism.This dissertation demonstrates, first, how such current of religion transformation was due to the changes of Catholicism in global world during 19th century, and second how it was decided mainly by Macau's local social–Cultural transformation operated in 29th century. By exploring the second half of 20th century and considering the great impact brought by Macau,s return to the Motherland, this research argues that it was possible to understand the dynamics of Macaense,s current religious evolution in political, social and cultural dimensions. From late 20thCentury onwards, social and economic changes in Macau has caused great impact on the root of two models that the Macaense had gained their cultural and social identity and ethnicity in the past. Such models include two directions– One is the family model with the character of enculturation , and the other is social model, characterized by socialization, closely and mutually connected. Depending on such models, Macaense have gained their own cultural and social Identity through its personhood.On the other hand, Macaense,Catholicism played a crucial role in both models, deeply related with the process of Macaense,enculturation and socialization. However, after the handover of Macau to China in December 1999, such models are nearly coming to an end. This would be the key point to understand the dynamics of the Macaense religious transformation.At the end of this dissertation and regarding the Macaense,s future in Macau SAR, the author views that we should strongly believe in the desires and capabilities of the Macanese community to preserve their tradition and to create new forms of culture although this task may look somewhat skeptical in long term.