Cane Reapers 3rd Edition: Chinese Indentured Immigrants in Guyana

Sue-A-Quan, Trevelyan A

ISBN 10: 0973355735 / ISBN 13: 9780973355734

Published by Cane Press, 2017

About this Item

Seller Inventory # I-9780973355734

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Cane Reapers 3rd Edition: Chinese Indentured Immigrants in Guyana
• Publisher: Cane Press
• Publication Date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0973355735
• ISBN 13: 9780973355734
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 3rd Edition
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Cane Reapers is the story about the Chinese who were procured to replace the emancipated slaves on the sugar plantations of Guyana (then British Guiana). Between 1853 and 1879 a total of 13,541 indentured labourers arrived from China but by 1900 the resident Chinese population was down to 3,000. The tribulations and triumphs of the Chinese immigrants reveal human nature in times of hardship and alienation. In the process of assimilation into Western culture some unique names have evolved for Chinese families, creating both a mystery and a topic of fascination for their descendants and for genealogists.

Review

Its potential, small a work though it be when contrasted with Alex Haley's emotive venture in Roots, might - just might - enable some of us to realize how much is lost in ignoring or despising one's ethno-biography, seeing how much respect is gained when others define theirs, as Dr. Sue-A-Quan has done so well. Richard Allsopp, Former Acting Principal, Queen's College, Georgetown, Guyana. Director, Caribbean Lexicography Project - UWI, Cave Hill, Barbados. CANE REAPERS is a valuable addition to the new literature on Caribbean Chinese communities, and should find its place on all library bookshelves which are interested in this topic. The text comes alive with the names of many hitherto forgotten immigrants with their multitude of problems and experiences under the indenture system. Walton Look Lai, History Department, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago Students of Guyanese social history will find it illuminates a fascinating corner of their history that has had little attention up to now. Guyanese of Chinese descent will find much to interest, horrify and amuse them in the story of how their ancestors came to Guyana and how they fared once they got there. Laura J. Hall, Adjunct Lecturer in American Studies, University of California, Berkeley.