Chinese (people or ethnicity) contribution to the Panamanian
Dec 21, 2016 12:19:55 GMT -5
Post by ginagaladriel on Dec 21, 2016 12:19:55 GMT -5
Chinese (people or ethnicity) contribution to the Panamanian society.
Their participation in the construction of the Railroad and the Panama Canal
Source: Berta A. Chen
In the mid-19th century, thousands of Chinese arrived in Panama to work on the railroad and canal constructions. His story is a chapter worth knowing and appreciating; His legacy serves to strengthen feelings of solidarity with the ethnic group; their work, dedication, hope and contributions have contributed to the development of the country.
After sailing for 61 days, the "Sea Witch" arrived on the island of Taboga on March 30, 1854 in the hope of achieving a better future. Chinese workers were recruited to work in mines, construction of railroads, cultivation and co-harvesting of agricultural products in America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. They were known as "culíes" (culíes = coolie, term for an indentured servant indentured to a company, mainly from the Indian subcontinent or South China.), being considered "free men" were subjected to many situations worse than those suffered by black slaves.
They arrived in Panama to work in the Railroad Company in July 1853, were paid $ 4 and $ 8 monthly, and were provided with tea, bamboo stems, rice, dried oysters, salted cabbage, noodles, and opium. Located in camps on the railroad tracks under construction, in the damp, sweltering, marshy jungle, plagued by wild animals and insects, in precarious sanitary conditions, some became ill and others died. They were impressed by the discipline, after a day of twelve hours of work, they returned to rest, they bathed, they changed their clothes, they ate, they played their instruments of rope, and they smoked. When it became known that the 15 grams daily of opium delivered to them cost $ 150 per day, it was decided to suspend the supply on the grounds that its sale was against the law. Without the drug that helped them to endure the harsh working conditions, prisoners of solitude, faced with linguistic and cultural differences, lacking adequate food and victims of social problems and diseases, became melancholy, depressed, hundreds took their lives.
The Chinese were responsible and efficient, when the work of the railroad was completed in 1855; they remained in Panama, dispersed throughout the country engaging in commerce or fieldwork. Most were single, widowed or with wives in China, some brought them, and others formed families with local women. During the construction of the French Canal, thousands of Chinese were hired for cooking, laundry and agriculture; When the United States began construction, thousands of Chinese workers embarked in Panama, and engaged in food supply, dry goods, catering, canteens, and miscellaneous services.
They lived in barracks, settled in modest houses, or in huts near the orchards, occupied the upper floor or top of the tents; Preserved their customs, traditions, festivities, language and rites; Shared with their families; As their economic co-conditions improved, they established their own businesses and brought family members from China. For their honesty and reliability they agreed to credits for paying their debts promptly; Introduced new varieties of vegetables into the Panamanian diet; They incorporated "fiado" (fiado = lend), "cuartillo" (cuartillo : quart of a cent), "ñapa" (ñapa = small token in this case), "mafá" (it’s a dry bread product in the shape of a braid), the consumption of rice and Chinese food, Feng Shui, acupuncture, therapeutic massages, herbal healing and "chinito" (Chinito = little Chinese, as a term of endearment) Located in the most remote places, has everything and is open until late; Were learning to live together and to communicate, they accepted the opportunities that this new earth offers them.
The National Government has honored the Chinese community with the issuance of the postage stamp "China Presence in Panama," a monolith in the Square of Culture and Ethnic Groups, the declaration of March 30 as the Day of Commemoration of the Chinese Ethnicity, The National Council of the Chinese Ethnicity, an organism of promotion and development of the equal integration of the Chinese ethnic group.
Their overcoming and loyalty have forged the appreciation of the Chinese; many Panamanians of Chinese origin have reached positions of popular choice; Stand out as successful entrepreneurs, responsible professionals and efficient employees; contributed to the economic, cultural, social and technological development of Panama through their work, values, culture, resources and the love for the land that became their home.
Their participation in the construction of the Railroad and the Panama Canal
Source: Berta A. Chen
In the mid-19th century, thousands of Chinese arrived in Panama to work on the railroad and canal constructions. His story is a chapter worth knowing and appreciating; His legacy serves to strengthen feelings of solidarity with the ethnic group; their work, dedication, hope and contributions have contributed to the development of the country.
After sailing for 61 days, the "Sea Witch" arrived on the island of Taboga on March 30, 1854 in the hope of achieving a better future. Chinese workers were recruited to work in mines, construction of railroads, cultivation and co-harvesting of agricultural products in America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. They were known as "culíes" (culíes = coolie, term for an indentured servant indentured to a company, mainly from the Indian subcontinent or South China.), being considered "free men" were subjected to many situations worse than those suffered by black slaves.
They arrived in Panama to work in the Railroad Company in July 1853, were paid $ 4 and $ 8 monthly, and were provided with tea, bamboo stems, rice, dried oysters, salted cabbage, noodles, and opium. Located in camps on the railroad tracks under construction, in the damp, sweltering, marshy jungle, plagued by wild animals and insects, in precarious sanitary conditions, some became ill and others died. They were impressed by the discipline, after a day of twelve hours of work, they returned to rest, they bathed, they changed their clothes, they ate, they played their instruments of rope, and they smoked. When it became known that the 15 grams daily of opium delivered to them cost $ 150 per day, it was decided to suspend the supply on the grounds that its sale was against the law. Without the drug that helped them to endure the harsh working conditions, prisoners of solitude, faced with linguistic and cultural differences, lacking adequate food and victims of social problems and diseases, became melancholy, depressed, hundreds took their lives.
The Chinese were responsible and efficient, when the work of the railroad was completed in 1855; they remained in Panama, dispersed throughout the country engaging in commerce or fieldwork. Most were single, widowed or with wives in China, some brought them, and others formed families with local women. During the construction of the French Canal, thousands of Chinese were hired for cooking, laundry and agriculture; When the United States began construction, thousands of Chinese workers embarked in Panama, and engaged in food supply, dry goods, catering, canteens, and miscellaneous services.
They lived in barracks, settled in modest houses, or in huts near the orchards, occupied the upper floor or top of the tents; Preserved their customs, traditions, festivities, language and rites; Shared with their families; As their economic co-conditions improved, they established their own businesses and brought family members from China. For their honesty and reliability they agreed to credits for paying their debts promptly; Introduced new varieties of vegetables into the Panamanian diet; They incorporated "fiado" (fiado = lend), "cuartillo" (cuartillo : quart of a cent), "ñapa" (ñapa = small token in this case), "mafá" (it’s a dry bread product in the shape of a braid), the consumption of rice and Chinese food, Feng Shui, acupuncture, therapeutic massages, herbal healing and "chinito" (Chinito = little Chinese, as a term of endearment) Located in the most remote places, has everything and is open until late; Were learning to live together and to communicate, they accepted the opportunities that this new earth offers them.
The National Government has honored the Chinese community with the issuance of the postage stamp "China Presence in Panama," a monolith in the Square of Culture and Ethnic Groups, the declaration of March 30 as the Day of Commemoration of the Chinese Ethnicity, The National Council of the Chinese Ethnicity, an organism of promotion and development of the equal integration of the Chinese ethnic group.
Their overcoming and loyalty have forged the appreciation of the Chinese; many Panamanians of Chinese origin have reached positions of popular choice; Stand out as successful entrepreneurs, responsible professionals and efficient employees; contributed to the economic, cultural, social and technological development of Panama through their work, values, culture, resources and the love for the land that became their home.
