Sub-inquiry question: How were the lives of Samsui Women before WW2

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Sub-inquiry question: How were the lives of Samsui Women before WW2 by Mind Map: Sub-inquiry question: How were the lives of Samsui Women before WW2

1. Working Conditions

1.1. Question: How did the Samsui Women work?

1.2. Source: Excerpt from e-resource at nlb.gov.sg “Some of the women found employment as labourers in tin mines and rubber estates; others became domestic servants (known as amah) in wealthy households. Most were hired as general labourers on construction sites to carry building materials and clear debris – these women became referred to as samsui women.” https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_795_2005-01-18.html#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20women%20found,referred%20to%20as%20samsui%20women. Is this a primary or secondary source? Secondary What type of source is this? Written / Pictorial / Oral / Artefact? Written What questions does it answer? What types of work did Samsui Women work as before world war 2. I can infer that different jobs for different Samsui Women. Supporting evidence from the source This is evident in the source as it states,”Some of the women found employment as labourers in tin mines and rubber estates; others became domestic servants (known as amah) in wealthy households. Most were hired as general labourers on construction sites to carry building materials and clear debris – these women became referred to as samsui women.”

1.3. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OOF6l7FubTw/TPKbnFEQfCI/AAAAAAAACW8/4L90QMtRqac/s1600/samsui_workers_painting.jpg Source analysis for source C: picture of samsui women Is this a primary or secondary source? Secondary What type of source is this? Written / Pictorial / Oral / Artefact? Pictorial Where did you find this source? When was this source produced? A Website, Pinterest 2010 What questions does it answer? What were the working conditions of Samsui Women before world war 2. Your inferences Supporting evidence from the source I can infer that their working conditions were very poor. Supporting evidence from the source This is evident from the source as it shows that they carried bricks with their bare hands, and walked on sandals in the construction site.

1.4. Source: Excerpt from The Straits Times “ Samsui Women Bear Burden of Respect. " “Most of them are now staying in flats in redhill estate, a change from the crammed cubicles in Chinatown where they once settled.” Samsui women bear burden of respect Question:Where they lived before world war 2 . I can infer that they lived in poor living conditions. This is evident in the source as it states,”Most of them are now staying in flats in Redhill estate, a change from the crammed cubicles in Chinatown where they once settled.”

2. Life in the Chinese Community

2.1. Question: Which areas did the Samsui Women lived in? Before coming to Singapore, They lived in areas such as Dongguan and Shunde District which were relatively poorer.

2.2. Source.:https://profile.nus.edu.sg/fass/socleyk/rememberingthesamsuiwomen.pdf Question: How where their lives? They did the most exhausting job but they were paid very less.

2.3. Source.:Samsui women | Infopedia Question: What did their meals mostly consist of? Their meal mostly consist of cooked rice, some bean cheese and a bit of pickled or fresh vegetables.

2.4. Source.: Samsui women were the heroines S'pore needed, but their struggles were real Question: Why were the Samsui women remembered as exemplary icons? They sacrificed for their families and experienced many hardships.

3. Living Conditions

3.1. Question: How did the Samsui Women live?

3.2. Source.: Question: Where did they live? They lived in crammed cubicles in Chinatown before moving to Redhill Estate.

3.3. Source.:https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg?newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19791105-1.2.38?ST=1&AT=search&k=samsui%20women&QT=samsui,women&oref=article Question: What did they eat? They ate vegetables, beansprouts, salted fish and lots of rice. On several occasions, Samsui Chicken will be served.

3.4. Source.:https://www.nas.gov.sg/archievesonline/oral_history_interview/record-details/224a2d6f-1163-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad?keywords=Samsui%20omen&keywords-type=all Question: What was their living quarters like? The room is small and the bed was made of wood. For the bedsheets, they used some unwanted pieces of cloth. The double decker bed is also primitively done.

4. What did the Samsui Women wear

4.1. Source: https://eresource.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_795_2005-01-18.html Question: Why do the Samsui Women wear red headdresses? The colour red was used because it was eye-catching and thus reduced the chances of accidents occurring at the construction site. Besides sheltering the women from the sun, the hat was also used to store items such as cigarettes, matches and money.

4.2. What do Samsui Women wear? Ans: They wore blue or black blouses and pants called Samfoo, red headdresses and rubber shoes. Source: https://www.singaporememory.sg/contents/SMA-0ac2d6af-c49c-4b56-be24-45c6d05c051a

4.3. Why do Samsui Women specifically wear red headdresses? Ans: They wear them because they will be easier to spot and if a Samsui Women got into trouble at the construction site, they will be spotted and rescued quickly. They also can put their personal belongings in the headdress. Source: https://lionraw.com/2015/08/18/the-samsui-women-of-singapore/

4.4. Why are the Samsui Womens’ shoes made out of rubber? Ans: The Samsui Women do not want to waste precious money on buying shoes, so they make shoes out of used tyres. Source: https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_795_2005-01-18.html