🇩🇪 Diesen Beitrag auf Deutsch lesen
We visited a special history museum in Singapore, the Chinatown Heritage Centre, and watched a short film there in Chinese. That was no problem, because modern technology made it possible: I used my phone to transcribe the film live and translate the Chinese directly into German. Very interesting. Here is what the film tells, in my own words:
A way out in hard times
In a time of social unrest, many homeless and desperate young women in China were looking for a way out. They had heard of “Nanyang”, the lands of the South Seas, where gambier, pepper and sugar cane grew and tin was mined. Singapore, the richest trading port of Nanyang, was naturally the first stop.
Everything for one ticket
Many sold everything they owned just to get a ticket on a sailing ship or cargo ship. The journey south often took a whole month on the open sea. They put all their hope in the sea goddess Mazu and prayed to arrive safely. They were worried about the future, but they carried a dream in their hearts: to return home one day in prosperity.
A “floating hell”
On the ships every centimetre was taken. The air was stale and diseases spread. The food was simple: rice porridge and vegetables, and fermented tofu from home made the days a little easier. Storms swept over the deck, many became seasick, and fear spread.
Arrival – and a new beginning
Finally the red lanterns of Singapore’s harbour appeared in front of them. Going ashore meant that the dangerous voyage was over. But what future was waiting for them? The journey of their lives had only just begun.
Hinterlasse einen Kommentar