MACAO’S IDENTITY, CHINESE AND OTHER GROUPS：A DECADE AFTER THE RETURN TO CHINA澳門的身份認同，中國人及其他群體：澳門回歸十年之後
The article interrogates how to define Macau's identity within the framework of its post-return status to Chinese sovereignty, arguing that, despite demographic and cultural diversity, the cultural trait 'chineseness' constitutes the most determining core of the forms of identification and social co...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
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| Format: | Articles |
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Instituto Cultural de Macau
2014
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| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40045/2404 |
| Summary: | The article interrogates how to define Macau's identity within the framework of its post-return status to Chinese sovereignty, arguing that, despite demographic and cultural diversity, the cultural trait 'chineseness' constitutes the most determining core of the forms of identification and social coexistence in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR). Building on a theoretical-conceptual discussion of identity/identities and a historical-institutional reading of the 'way of life' enshrined in the Basic Law, the text articulates the historical formation of Macau society—shaped by successive migratory flows of Chinese from different origins, as well as African, Indian, Malay, Portuguese and other communities—with the persistence of institutions and practices that support this cultural continuity. Methodologically, the author draws on results from questionnaires and household survey data (one hundred families), comparing them with evidence from other regional contexts (such as Hong Kong). The conclusions indicate that self-identification as 'chineseness' surpasses strictly 'Macanese' identity: 65% affirm 'chineseness', with 46% registering as 'Chinese of Macao' and 19% as Chinese only. Thus, the internal diversity of the 'Chinese world' is recognized, but the everyday reproduction of this 'chineseness' is presented as a central condition for socio-cultural stability in the MSAR. |
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| ISSN: | 1682-1106 |