Cultural ecosystem of Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs in Macau: dynamic interactions and adaptive resilience

This article re-examines the persistent tangible-intangible dichotomy in heritage studies by examining the Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs in Macau through the lens of cultural ecology. Framing Na Tcha as a dynamic cultural ecosystem, we argue that its resilience derives from the symbiotic relationship between its internal ecology—comprising material, institutional, and spiritual dimensions—and its external ecology, constituted by the surrounding natural and social environments. Our qualitative analysis demonstrates that shifts in the external environment necessitate internal adaptations, while internal cultural innovations, in turn, reshape external contexts. This reciprocal relationship is essential for sustaining the ecosystem’s dynamic equilibrium, offering a holistic model for understanding and safeguarding living cultural heritage.