Barra and the temple
Most of the dwellings were of wood and of provisional character since many of them live inside the fishing boats.
The first temple complex was small, located in the foot of the hill, facing the river. Ma Kok Miu, or temple of the goddess A-Ma is the name that designates this temple in Cantonese.
Some scholars attribute this name, the Bay of the goddess Ama as the origin of the Portuguese name of Macau. For 400 years Portuguese call the city of Macau and the Chinese by Ou Mun, or Gate Bay.
A stone is painted in vivid colors representing the boat, which the legend tells, that had carry A Ma to this harbor and from here she departed to heaven.
This romantic story attracted the imagination of several Chinese and western poets and artist like George Chinnery, August Borget, Thomas Allon among others
