Interview by Armindo Neves
The government-appointed Cultural Heritage Committee agreed last Thursday to designate a total of eight individuals to become official inheritors of seven statutorily protected items of Macau’s intangible cultural heritage. Among them is Ip Tat, president of the Na Tcha Temple Association.
The Na Tcha Belief* is the only intangible heritage item for which the government has designated two inheritors – Ip and Cheang Kun Kuong. All the other items are represented by one inheritor each.
The Post interviewed Ip on Saturday at the Na Tcha-themed café in Chi Lam Vai Village, located near the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Na Tcha Temple. The café’s Portuguese and Chinese names are “Amigos do Espinho” and “Chi Lam”, respectively.
In the face of this honour, Ip humbly stated during the exclusive interview that the recognition is by no means his personal achievement, but rather the result of the collective efforts of his entire team and their predecessors.
Helmsman of century-old association
The Na Tcha Temple Association has a history spanning more than a century. As a seventh-generation inheritor, Ip said he took on the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by his predecessors when he was still in his thirties.
“Back then, the elders handed over to me the official seal, the temple, and all its funds, saying they trusted my character”, Ip recalled.
Over the past 30-odd years, Ip has propelled a modest temple to attain the dual honours of being part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and making Na Tcha culture a signature “brand” representative of Macau.
When it comes to passing on this legacy, Ip jokes that he did not receive much formal education in his youth – describing himself as having only a “primary school level” – but in all his dealings, he has relied on honesty and down-to-earth principles. He noted that despite his modest educational background, he has always approached his work with forward-thinking ideas. As early as 2012, when the public were still unfamiliar with the concept of ‘intangible cultural heritage’, he funded the groundwork for the preservation and revitalisation of the Na Tcha culture out of his own pocket.
Technology meets tradition
“Culture is a vessel; it must be alive and dynamic. We hope that this vitality can shine even more brightly”, Ip said, adding that “new thinking” was required to keep the Na Tcha folk belief in step with the times.
In order to ensure that traditional culture does not remain stuck in the past, Ip and his team established a Na Tcha cultural centre at the café in 2024, keeping pace with the times by embracing new media and digital technology.
“Modern technology and traditional devotees are not in conflict with one another. Through collaboration with organisations in the Chinese mainland, we are using short videos, audio-visual content, and online platforms to promote Na Tcha culture across the nation and around the world – so that over a billion people will know that one of the homes of Na Tcha culture is right here in Macau”, Ip explained.
In addition to digital outreach, Ip has been actively promoting the development of cultural and creative products. He frequently invites primary and secondary school students to the temple to sketch, watch short films, and listen to him tell historical stories in person.
He proudly revealed that it is no longer just younger pupils taking part; young people from tertiary institutions such as the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) also frequently visit for academic and cultural exchanges. Furthermore, Ip is particularly pleased to see the association’s eighth generation already working in the youth division, with its youngest members being only 11 or 12 years old.
“The spirit of passing on our heritage”, he said, “means enabling the next generation to feel, engage with, and fall in love with this place from a young age”.
Inheritors’ responsibilities
Ip explained that as an official inheritor, he must submit a comprehensive report to the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) every three years – a kind of “work accounting” – detailing the revitalisation and publicity efforts undertaken during that period. The local government, he noted, takes the protection of cultural heritage very seriously.
Although the Na Tcha Temple’s promotional efforts rank among the best, Ip said, he candidly admitted that its daily operations and revitalisation still face enormous challenges. He noted that everything from the routine staffing costs of the cultural centre to basic practical infrastructure – such as the difficulty of replacing electricity meters or installing air-conditioning in the historic building – makes the path of cultural preservation a difficult one to walk.
“We are looking for policy support and deregulation”, Ip said, expressing his hope that the government will provide greater regulatory flexibility and backing in the future to help resolve these infrastructural bottlenecks.
He emphasised that, moving forward, the association will organise a wide range of activities –including photography competitions – to further expand the influence of the Ruins of St Paul’s–Na Tcha culture from Macau across the Greater Bay Area (GBA), eventually extending its reach to Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore, ensuring this local “golden brand” continues to shine on the world stage.
*The Na Tcha Belief and Customs centre around the worship of Na Tcha (Nezha), a deeply revered child deity in Chinese folk religion, Taoism, and Buddhism. Traditionally depicted as a youthful, rebellious figure who flies on “Wind Fire Wheels” and wields a “Universe Ring,” Na Tcha is celebrated as a powerful protector against evil spirits, plagues, and natural disasters. While Na Tcha is recognised across many Chinese communities, the specific “Na Tcha Belief and Customs” have a uniquely profound cultural footprint in Macau. The core elements of the Na Tcha Belief are his role as a Child Protector, a Shield Against Plagues, and Cultural Harmony. Every year, around the 18th day of the fifth lunar month, Macau hosts vibrant celebrations to mark Na Tcha’s birthday, this year on July 2. The Na Tcha Parade, this time on July 1-2, is a grand procession where a statue of the deity is carried through the historic streets, accompanied by lion and dragon dances to bless the community. – Gemini
Na Tcha Temple Association President Ip Tat (right) speaks to the Post’s reporter Armindo Neves during an exclusive interview at the Na Tcha-themed café near the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Na Tcha Temple on Saturday. – Photo courtesy of the association
