This is a rare tour that will get us acquainted with the choice of career our forefathers had during the early colonial years. From being a coolie, rickshaw puller, a gangster, a smuggler, a secret society member, or a hawker, the choice was like having to choose between a hard rock and another harder rock.

Not many wanted to be a policeman – you will be severely outnumbered by the gangsters. They had to pull in external sources (notably the Sikhs) to keep law and order.

With most men being unskilled, illiterate, and hungry, it is easy to tell the police didn’t have it easy. Life was indeed a struggle. Due to the chaotic emigration and immigration cacophony, there was a time when men outnumbered women 14 to 1.

The women finally came – albeit much later – but only when the British folks realised the population was way too lopsided. So, what kind of career can our ladies choose? Other from being a noble lady like being a majie (amah), there weren’t many other choices.

Through the smugglers and shrewd hoodlums, many were lured into the vice industry, albeit, some did come in by choice. Poverty also forced some parents to sell their daughters into obscurity. It was a sad world.

Kudos to the match-makers whom we know did try to save some girls from sin – by marrying them off to some wealthy men, many whom already had multiple wives (read – concubines & mistresses).

You could also choose the hard, albeit noble life, by being a Samsui woman. Today, our focus will be on this particular group of hardcore women who could work almost harder than modern-day robots – the Samsui women – (circa 1930s – late 1980s).

Meet me, 9am at Maxwell MRT on Sat, 24th June 2023. This tour will bring us through the streets where the Samsui Women lived and worked. We’ll see if any one of them did make it “happy” in life.

For reservations, contact:
UNCLE CHRIS WALKING TOURS
Chris WK Ng
T: 65 91814298
E: [email protected]
W: www.unclechrisdrivingholidays.com

Note:
• We do the worldwide practice of tipping at the end of the tour.
• We also reserve the right to accept or reject habitual late cancellations and No Shows.
• Do not sign up for this tour if you are not sure of your schedule. Sign up only when you are sure of your schedule.