福德社土地神位(夜呣里)

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In the past, streets like Celebration Alley were like fisherman's nets cast into the sea, with only enough room for people to pass through. The narrow width of these streets was inherited from the seaside shacks that lined the shore. The tightly packed houses on either side were a testament to the community's solidarity in the fishing industry. During the Qing dynasty's Tongzhi period, private individuals filled and leveled the area around Luoshi Tang, making it impossible for Macau-born Portuguese people to understand their own identity. After three centuries of cultural infiltration, the strong Chinese culture left only a mix of racial characteristics, names, and some sense of superiority among the ruling class - all tied to the Macanese identity. The Chinese folkways infused their lives with a subtle yet palpable presence. Although it did not bind them as tightly as a rope around the neck, the proportion of Portuguese or mixed blood in the population fluctuated over time, and a unique cultural system emerged on Macau soil. The locals developed a habit of being self-sufficient and resourceful, learning to rely on themselves rather than others for survival. This mindset also gave rise to a small but distinct "native culture" that was shaped by the land itself. Despite the occasional interference from Western politics lurking in the shadows, the local culture remained firmly in control. The Macanese people were able to navigate their precarious position as a marginalized minority, and ultimately found themselves at the crossroads of East and West. It was only when they encountered the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures that they were able to break free from their subordinate status and claim their rightful place as part of Chinese society.