Chinese Immigration to British Guiana: 1853- 1861.

By

Hazel Maria Woolford

In 1853, the first batch of 647 Chinese arrived in British Guiana.   They came from Amoy, Canton, Fukien and, Kwangtung.   They were composed of two main ethno-linguistic categories, Punti and Hakka and, were reputed to be either pooor, or social outcasts on account of opium addiction. 

One of the striking features of Chinese immigration was the acute shortage of women.  In 1863, at the peak of this migration, there were only 13.64 Chinese females per 100 males, and even though the ratio improved  slightly to 25.7 by 1880, it was far from adequate.  The ratio was four females per 100 males among the Chinese indentured workers on the plantations. In 1891, there were only 1,131 women out of a total population 3,714 in British Guiana.  The paucity was due partly to the suspicion which emigration to Guiana and the Caribbbean was regarded in China.  The Guianese planters competed with Australia, the Straits and, California for Chinese labourers.  

Almost two-thirds of the Chinese immigrants were distributed to estates in Demerara, about 21% in Essequibo and, about 15% in Berbice.  They experienced great difficulty in acclimatizing.   Twent nine of the first immigrants in 1853 were hospitalized and, ten died soon after.   The mortality rate in that first year was 11.26%.  This pattern reasserted itself, when Chinese immigration resumed in 1859, reaching a peak of 15.73% in 1861.     

Insanitary living quarters and poor medical facilities on the plantations contributed in no small way to the high mortality rates.   The highest mortality was experienced in the more humid Essequibo islands, and the lowest on the dryer Corentyne coast in Berbice.   The mortality rates declined, once the immigrants acclimatized.     

In 1864, their contractual period of service was increased from three to five years, with the 'option' of reidenturing for further five year periods.   They were subject to the general laws governing contract labour.   They were required to perform five tasks (worth five shillings) per week; and if they did not complete those tasks they were liable to be fined and/or imprisoned.   Similar penalties were imposed for failure to attend the daily roll-call or, to begin or finish work, for absence without leave, drunkeness atwork, use of abusive or threatening language to plantation officials, and for bad behaviour on the plantation.   Indentured labourers could have their wages for a number of reasons.    Throughout the period of indentureship, several attempted to desert the plantations.  They managed to escape to Surinam, Trinidad and, Cayenne.   Others committed suicide

Although the indenture system was quite oppresive, many Chinese found it financilly rewarding to reindenture, for more than one term.