Entertainment of Chinese Immigrants

Source 1: An extract on Chinese Street Opera during Colonial Singapore in the 19th century.

Wayang, a Malay word meaning “a theatrical performance employing puppets or human dancers”, commonly refers to Chinese street opera in Singapore, although it is also used in reference to other forms of opera such as wayang kulit . In Mandarin, Chinese street opera is known as jiexi (“street show”). This traditional Chinese dramatic form was brought to Singapore by immigrants from China in the 19th century as part of their religious rites.

Chinese street opera was introduced to Singapore by Chinese immigrants who arrived in the latter half of the 19th century. These Chinese immigrants later built temples for worship, and wayang would be staged outdoors on the temple grounds for the amusement of deities and as a form of respect during the celebration of deities’ birthdays and customary festivals. Such performances were probably free to watch, as the opera troupes were engaged and paid for by businessmen or temples and associations.

The popularity of wayang soon rose to such a level that the large crowds at these performances worried the authorities. The government attempted to curtail wayang performances through measures such as the 1856 Police and Conservancy Acts which restricted assemblies, processions and street operas. However, such measures were met with protest, and wayang continued to flourish as the controls were eased. Wayang’s popularity subsequently resulted in the building of dedicated theatres.

Reference:

Cai, S. (2011). Wayang (Chinese Street Opera). Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1218_2011-06-28.html

Source 2: A photograph depicting a Chinese man smoking opium in the 19th century Colonial Singapore.

Source 3: A photograph of a Mahjong set played by the Chinese community during the 1920s.

Source 4: A photograph depicting a group of Chinese immigrants gambling at a gambling house during the early 19th century Colonial Singapore.

Source 5: A modern-day image of shop houses at Smith Street, infamous for its Chinese brothels during the early 19th century Colonial Singapore.

As the number of Chinese migrants increased, which were overwhelming males settling in the areas around Chinatown, brothels became an outlet for their sexual needs. These migrants or sinkhehs came to Si Lat Po (Singapore's old Chinese name) without their wives and found solace in the arms of Ah Ku or prostitutes. Slowly, Chinatown was flooded with tea-houses, theatres and opium dens tended by young singsong girls locally known as Pei Pa Chai or Pipa girls. These girls were paid by the hour by rich clients to play mahjong or prepare opium. Many, in due course, were lured into prostitution. Subsequently, sexually transmitted disease became rampant and epidemics swept through Chinatown, leading to the passing of the Contagious Disease Ordinance in 1870, requiring brothels to be registered and prostitutes to be examined medically for disease.

Reference:

NewZzit (2014). History. The Brothels of Colonial Singapore. Retrieved from http://newzzit.com/stories/history-the-brothels-of-colonial-singapore

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