Narative
Looking at the time around which the Chinese community was present, the rampant xenophobia and everything that was going on back in their homeland of China, the people there must have felt horribly isolated.
Between the late 1800's to the mid 1900's was the fall of the feudal system, British colonies forcing China to sign over the allegiance followed by their eventual rebellion and independence. The occupancy of the Japanese and the slaughter of millions of Chinese people, later the rise of communism. A lot was going on and I can only imagine the fear and guilt of not being with their families but hearing all about the terror. That, coupled with the racism and general neglect and out-casting by other Wellingtonians, would have left the Chinese community feeling isolated and fearful, seeking safety and comfort in their communities.
Also it seems Wellington wasn't the richest area for gold mining, which was the original reason for many Chinese settlers to come across. There was plenty gold found on the West coast in the South island and around Auckland and the Coromandel, but not so much around Wellington. So I imagine there was also disappointment and financial stress. http://mineforgold.co.nz/mining-gold/nz-gold-mining-history/
The Anglican Chinese Mission Hall was built in 1905 to improve the lives of the Chinese and to give them a community hall to gather. I imagine this would have felt like a place of refuge and community.
Image ideas:
Instead of carrying gold, the Chinese settlers carry the weight of their people and the racist views projected unto them.
I can't find the artist of this. I think it might be Herakut http://www.herakut.de/ but this is unconfirmed.
The large protagonist and the tiny secondary characters can be utilized as a nod to traditional Chinese art where the important figures of the painting were often larger than the others.
Two gold mining Chinese men from around the 1900's
Hair styles for my characters would depend on when they immigrated. Before 1912 the Qing dynasty ruled, and, to simplify, men had their hair very long as tradition. After the Qing dynasty long hair was punishable and everyone had to cut their hair. From my understanding this was traumatic as hair was considered as much a part of you as your limbs. It was something given to you by your parents so as respect to their elders they mustn't cut it. Suddenly having to sever it would have been difficult to accept. I think that's why they were made to cut it, as a way of braking spirit and controlling. But that aside, which ever I choose could be historically accurate
In saying that when the long hair tradition first started with was also enforced and punishable to those who did not abide. Many men who traveled overseas for gold mining kept their long hair as they intended to return to China with their fortune. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-queue-195402
Some would also keep their hair as loyalty to the previous Qing dynasty
Great info on Joe Kum Yung and other immigrants
Between the late 1800's to the mid 1900's was the fall of the feudal system, British colonies forcing China to sign over the allegiance followed by their eventual rebellion and independence. The occupancy of the Japanese and the slaughter of millions of Chinese people, later the rise of communism. A lot was going on and I can only imagine the fear and guilt of not being with their families but hearing all about the terror. That, coupled with the racism and general neglect and out-casting by other Wellingtonians, would have left the Chinese community feeling isolated and fearful, seeking safety and comfort in their communities.
Also it seems Wellington wasn't the richest area for gold mining, which was the original reason for many Chinese settlers to come across. There was plenty gold found on the West coast in the South island and around Auckland and the Coromandel, but not so much around Wellington. So I imagine there was also disappointment and financial stress. http://mineforgold.co.nz/mining-gold/nz-gold-mining-history/
The Anglican Chinese Mission Hall was built in 1905 to improve the lives of the Chinese and to give them a community hall to gather. I imagine this would have felt like a place of refuge and community.
Image ideas:
Instead of carrying gold, the Chinese settlers carry the weight of their people and the racist views projected unto them.
The large protagonist and the tiny secondary characters can be utilized as a nod to traditional Chinese art where the important figures of the painting were often larger than the others.
Hair styles for my characters would depend on when they immigrated. Before 1912 the Qing dynasty ruled, and, to simplify, men had their hair very long as tradition. After the Qing dynasty long hair was punishable and everyone had to cut their hair. From my understanding this was traumatic as hair was considered as much a part of you as your limbs. It was something given to you by your parents so as respect to their elders they mustn't cut it. Suddenly having to sever it would have been difficult to accept. I think that's why they were made to cut it, as a way of braking spirit and controlling. But that aside, which ever I choose could be historically accurate
In saying that when the long hair tradition first started with was also enforced and punishable to those who did not abide. Many men who traveled overseas for gold mining kept their long hair as they intended to return to China with their fortune. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-queue-195402
Some would also keep their hair as loyalty to the previous Qing dynasty
Great info on Joe Kum Yung and other immigrants
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