Macaos
Macaos, or the Macanese people, are residents and descendants of Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China. The term refers to a cultural community formed through historical mixing of Portuguese and Chinese ancestry, especially during the long period of Portuguese rule in Macau from the 16th century onward.
Origins and history include the blending of Portuguese settlers, other European traders, and Cantonese-speaking Chinese communities.
Language and culture reflect this fusion. The Macanese language, known as Patuá, was a creole spoken by
Demographics and diaspora indicate that Macaos are a minority within Macau’s population, with many identifying as
Identity and contemporary status emphasize that Macanese culture persists through family networks, cultural associations, festivals, cuisine,