The Portuguese community of Macao: integration and identity (re)construction in recent history

Abstract

This article is based on an investigation carried out in the Portuguese community of Macao, which sought to understand how it is currently integrated in the region, considering two major events in recent history. One in the host region – the handover in 1999; another in the country of origin – the economic crisis that began in 2008. Using 24 in-depth interviews and subsequent content analysis, our objective was to reflect on the migration process that brings new immigrants to Macao and that brings back to the territory others who had already lived there; and to understand how a changing community is redefined in a territory that also seeks a new identity.