They
are temple keepers (Miu Jok), who usually dress in casual singlets and wear
sandals. Now there are about 100 temple keepers in Macau. MAY CHAO
They
are temple keepers (Miu Jok), who usually dress in casual singlets and wear
sandals. Now there are about 100 temple keepers in Macau.
"This job is suitable for old man, like me, because there is no layoff and no age-limit," laughed 63-year-old Pun Iao Man. He has been a temple keeper for more than 15 years at A-Ma temple, but still has no intention of retiring yet. "I feel happy since the job is easy and there is no pressure," Pun added.
Pun told UMAC BRIDGES that he is responsible for explaining the Chinese fortune sticks (chim) in order to solve worshipper's problems.
"They help me a lot and teach me the step of the ritual," responded Wong Kai Kei, 46, a worshipper who believes in A-Ma.
"When I retired from my former job three years ago, I was introduced to the master and have been working until now," said Lei Un Hai, 55, a retiree who has worked at Kun Iam Tong for two years.
"I couldn't adapt myself to the work at first, because the smoke always makes me feel uncomfortable," Lei mentioned, "It's hard to get up early in the morning, but now I have become use to it." The temples in Macau open at 6:30 a.m. but temple keepers have to go earlier to prepare for the work.
Nowadays, temple keepers usually come from Mainland China. Ieong Dong, 48, is an imported laborer from Mainland China, who has worked at the A-Ma temple for one year.
Ieong is responsible
for cleaning, doing chores, and pouring the 'oil' to keep the lamps lit up.
Ieong thinks he will not change to another job. "I haven't got any special skills, I have no choice," he stressed.
A lot of temple keepers like Pun and Ieong believe in Chinese gods, but some keepers like Lei do not. They think this is just a job, "I don't have any religion. It's only a job to me," Lei said.
The prospect of temple keepers
All three interviewees believe this job is not a sunset career. Because temples in Macau will always exist, temple keepers are needed. In fact, temples must be operated by people.
When UMAC BRIDGES mentioned about the young generation working in this job, Pun sighed while shaking his head, "no young people are willing to do this job, because it has no future, no challenge and the salary is low."
Lei explained, "the basic salary is around MOP800 to MOP1000 (not including extra money). It's not enough for them to afford their living."
All
of the interviewees emphasized they would not retire yet. "I'm going to work
as long as I'm healthy," said Pun.
"Unless I'm fired by the master, I'll not give up this job," Lei stated.
"I'm an imported laborer, I don't know how long I can work. As long as the master continues to employ me, I will work here," Ieong expressed.
Temple keepers may preserve traditional customs. They can transfer knowledge of these customs to the next generation.
