The Na Tcha Temple Association is hosting a Na Tcha themed market in front of Na Tcha Temple near the Ruins of St Paul’s, titled “Lotus Door Three Banquets · China-chic Banquets”.
According to an advance copy of his opening speech at noon today, association president Ip Tat says the market aims to blend intangible cultural heritage with youth energy to create a new “spark”.
Ip says that as a nationally recognised intangible cultural heritage, the Na Tcha folk belief embodies the traditional desire to ward off evil and seek blessings. He also says that it represents the roots of Chinese culture and fosters a strong sense of community and fellowship among Macau’s residents.
Over the years, Ip underlines, his association has prioritised striking a balance between tradition and innovation. The market is a vivid example of how intangible cultural heritage can be brought closer to the public in an accessible and engaging way, he says.
Kuok Pak Yu, head of the association’s youth division, says that the market also aims to transcend the traditional boundaries of temple fairs, bringing a centuries-old heritage into everyday life, according to an advance copy of her speech at today’s ceremony.
According to Kuok, the association has collaborated with Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) to transform the Na Tcha folk belief into an online interactive game and a digital cultural gallery. Additionally, in collaboration with the Macao University of Tourism (UTM), young people are serving as cultural educators, interpreting traditional beliefs from a youthful perspective.
Kuok points out in her speech that the market features interactive experiences, youth-led guided tours, and a photography competition. These initiatives encourage both residents and visitors to capture moments of the temple fair and share them on social media. This, she notes, allows intangible cultural heritage to gain new life in the digital age.
In her speech, Kuok says she hopes the market helps transform the perception of intangible cultural heritage from a preserved past into a living future being shaped today.
Na Tcha, known in Putonghua as Nezha (哪吒), aka Nezha the Crown Prince (哪吒太子), is a protection deity in Taoism, Buddhism, and Chinese folk belief. Besides, Na Tcha, a prominent figure in Chinese mythology, is a divine hero whose origins are rooted in ancient Chinese folklore and religious traditions. According to the mythological narrative, Na Tcha was born during the Shang Dynasty (商朝, around 1600–1046 BCE), and his famed story is closely tied to the Investiture of the Gods (封神演义), a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel set in that era.
Visitors walk in front of Na Tcha Temple next to the Ruins of St. Paul’s last Sunday, as the Na Tcha Temple Association is hosting its traditional Na Tcha market. Both the Taoist temple and Catholic church are UNESCO World Heritage-listed properties. – Photo: Armindo Neves
