Chinese in Samoa
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| Chinese Samoan | |||||||||
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| Total population | |||||||||
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>30,900 |
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| Regions with significant populations | |||||||||
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| Languages | |||||||||
| English, Samoan[4], Cantonese | |||||||||
| Religions | |||||||||
| Congregationalist, Roman Catholic[5] | |||||||||
| Related ethnic groups | |||||||||
| Samoans, Chinese |
Chinese in Samoa currently consists of forty expatraite businessmen in Samoa,[6] and there are about 30,000 people are of mixed Samoan and Chinese descent,[7] all of whom are classified as ethnic Samoans.[8] People of Chinese descent are generally concentrated in Apia and also have relatives in neighbouring American Samoa, [9] which also has a small population of Chinese expatriates.[10]
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[edit] History
The first Chinese arrived in Samoa as free settlers during the 19th century in small numbers until a ban issued by Malietoa Laupepa 1880 to prevent people of Chinese descent from settling in Samoa. However, in 1903 Wilhelm Solf managed to acquire the support of the Samoan Fono and lifted Malietoa's ban, allowing Chinese coolies to work in the plantations as indentured labourers. However, coolies faced harsh conditions and were subjected to brutal treatment from their masters.
Chinese immigrants constituted almost entirely of men, and most of the labourers took Samoan women as wives and by 1918 offsprings of Chinese-Samoan descent were a visible minority, although relatively smaller in terms of population compared to offsprings of European (particularly German) and Samoan descent.[11] This eventually led to a ban in 1931 that prohibited Chinese men from interacting with Samoan women on all grounds. By the end of World War 2 only 295 Chinese remained, all of whom had either taken Samoan wives or were unmarried. Many Chinese coolies had since returned to China or remained in Samoa with their families.
In 1994, China provided financial assistance to the construction of the government building in Apia.[12] Aeau Peniamina, deputy leader of Samoa Democratic United Party, caused a minor controversy in January 2005 when he remarked that "there are too many Chinese in the country". Joe Keil, Minister of tourism who is of part-Chinese descent promptly rebutted Peniamina's renarks.[13]
Samoans of Chinese descent are well-represented in the civil service,[14] and China established diplomatic relations with Samoa in November 1975.[15] People of Chinese descent are especially well represented in the retail and restaurant sectors, notably in Apia.[16]
[edit] Languages
The majorty of the Chinese coolies came from Guangdong province and generally spoke Cantonese as their prime language for communication.[17] However, their descendants in Samoa have adopted Samoan as their mother tongue, and Cantonese is only spoken by a few elderly people of Chinese descent.[18]
[edit] Names
People of Chinese descent in Samoa took after the last names of their Chinese forefathers as their surnames, rather than actual Chinese surnames of their forefathers. Many of these names are Cantonese by origin, as the majorty of the Chinese who settled in Samoa came from Taishan and Panyu. People of Chinese descent usually have surnames that starts with "Ah", and common examples include Ah Kuoi and Ah Ching. [19]
[edit] Notable Samoans of Chinese descent
- See Category:Chinese Samoans
- Eveni Tafiti, Multicultural Counselor of Weber State University[20]
- Verona Lovel Parker, Miss Samoa 1997[21]
- Tuaimalo Asamu Ah Sam, CEO Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
[edit] References
- ^ Identity and Culture
- ^ The "Exotic" Look
- ^ SEEKING RACIAL JUSTICE in HUMILITY
- ^ 萨摩亚
- ^ Dragons in little paradise: Chinese fortunes in Samoa, 1900-1950 - mis | Journal of Pacific History, The | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ (Chinese) 异国风情：萨摩亚人不愁吃住 树上长大面包
- ^ (Chinese) 国家概况
- ^ CIA - The World factbook
- ^ Lynn Pan [1998]. The Encyclopedia of the Chinese Overseas. Harvard University Press, 303, The South Pacific–Western Samoa. ISBN 0674252101.
- ^ Chinese residing in American Samoa complain of racist abuse.
- ^ American Samoa Historical Calendar
- ^ South Pacific Pictures
- ^ Samoan MP hits out at growing Chinese influence; Samoa PM accused of racism over anti-Chinese remark
- ^ Samoa
- ^ Bilateral Relations
- ^ Paul Smitz, Susannah Farfor (2006). Lonely Planet–Samoan Islands & Tonga. Lonely Planet Publications, 39. ISBN 1741045231.
- ^ Dragons in little paradise: Chinese fortunes in Samoa, 1900-1950 - mis | Journal of Pacific History, The | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ Scot Barmé (2006). WorldMark Encyclopedia of The Nations–Asia and Oceania, Twelvth Edition, Thomson Gale, 698. ISBN 1-4144-1093-X.
- ^ Leiataua or Lei'ataua: The Polynesian Origin and Migrations; Second Samoan Congregational Church UCC Convocation on Racial Justice–Portland, Oregon
- ^ Eveni Tafiti
- ^ Miss Samoa 1997: Verona Lovel Tapu Ah Ching - Parker
- Dragons in little paradise: Chinese fortunes in Samoa, 1900-1950 - mis
- Tom, Nancy Y.W. The Chinese in Western Samoa 1975-1985. Apia: Western Samoan Historical and Cultural Trust
[edit] Further reading
[edit] External links
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