The Macao Chinese Opera Association of Terrestrial and Maritime Dwellers of Barra, the protection entity of the “Belief and Customs of A-Ma”, partnered with a Macao-based academic association, the Heritage Society, to organise the 2025 Macao Feast of A-Ma’s extension activities which were sponsored by the Macao Foundation. UTM Year 1 students from the Bachelor of Science in Cultural and Heritage Management Programme participated in this initiative.
On 7 April, the students attended a lecture titled “The Maritime Silk Road, its Guardian & Social Practices: Macao Belief and Customs of A-Ma”, delivered by UTM adjunct-faculty member, Ms. Kate, Kwan Chi Wo for the Intangible Heritage course. She invited distinguished guest Mr. Chan Kin Chun, the representative transmitter of Macao Belief and Customs of A-Ma, as well as the association members of the Chinese Opera Association of Terrestrial and Maritime Dwellers of Barra, engaged with students and shared valuable insights.
In addition, the students participated a field study trip on 14 April leading to their participation in this year’s “Macao Feast of A-Ma” celebration from 18 to 22 April, which includes a guided tour of the A-Ma Feast bamboo-shed theatre and its cultural spaces; a bamboo scaffolding workshop; the Gathering Dinner, Cantonese Operas for Deities, etc. Ms. Kate Kwan through the guided tour highlighted the heritage values of the A-Ma Temple and bamboo-shed theatre, the revitalisation of the Barra district, also featuring the importance of the A-Ma Feast in relation to the bamboo-shed theatre.
After participating in these activities, local student Vien Mai remarked, “Intangible Cultural Heritage should be experienced not just visually but felt with the heart.” The bamboo scaffolding workshop also deepened students’ understanding of traditional craftsmanship. A student from Shandong, Jasmine Liu noted, “I gained not just the skill of building bamboo-shed, but a greater respect for the spirit of traditional craftsmanship. The charm of bamboo scaffolding lies in how each interlocking bamboo stick reflects the artisans’ ingenuity.” Kevin Li, a student from Beijing, expressed his feelings, saying, “After attending the Macao A-Ma Feast and enjoying the Cantonese Opera, nothing could surpass the happiness and excitement in my heart.”
These educational activities seamlessly blend theory with field practices, aiming to promote the preservation of intangible cultural heritage in Macao, and inspire students to discover the city enchantment of Macao as the “Culture City of East Asia”.
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