In Ujong Pasir, five kilometre from the city of Melaka, there is a Portuguese Settlement. The Kristang community lives here. Also known as Portuguese-Eurasians, Kristangs actually have mixed Portuguese and Malay, even Dutch, British, Chinese and Indian blood due to intermarriage. Malacca has once been part of the Portuguese Empire. At one time, there was a superstition about women on ships and Portuguese women were barred from traveling overseas The Viceroy of India, Afonso de Albuquerque, set a policy encouraging Portuguese explorers to marry indigenous women , creating families with Catholic children loyal to the Crown. The Portuguese Settlement was established in 1933 to gather the dispersed Kristang community and preserve their culture which originated from the former Minho region of Portugal. It had since become a tourist attraction and come Christmas, youngsters, not necessarily Christians, flock to the settlement to celebrate Christmas. A joyous occasion is for all!
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