Chinese have long history with NT

IN the late 19th century, there were up to seven times more Chinese in the Territory than any other ethnic group

Chinese New Year celebrations in Cavenagh Street, Darwin, around 1916 Picture: SUPPLIED

THE aims of the Chung Wah Society are to promote harmony and goodwill between Chinese residents in the NT and people of other nationalities; promote the general, cultural education, social interests and welfare of its members; and provide and maintain the Chinese Temple as a place of worship.

Every Chinese New Year here in Darwin and all over the world, the Lion Dance is believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck, joy, fortune and happiness.

It is often performed at the openings of businesses, religious festivals, cultural ceremonies, and special occasions, but mostly can be seen during Chinese New Year celebrations. This year they are being held from February 16 to March 3, which will herald in the Chinese New Year of the Dog.

The traditional Chinese Lion Dance has a strong and rich history that dates back to the early days of imperial China. It is believed that this tradition was brought to Darwin by the first Chinese settlers to the Northern Territory and has been passed on from generation to generation.

During the 1950s and 1960s, many businesses in Darwin were owned and operated by Chinese families and a dedicated group of people would perform the Lion Dance during Chinese New Year to bless these business houses to scare away evil spirits and to bring good luck for the new year ahead.

These early Chinese settlers were mainly from the Kwantung Province in south China and primarily spoke the Sze Yup and Hakka dialects. The local newspaper of the time noted of the Chinese arrival in the NT: “The coolies were landed here in a poor state of health, and if they had been so many cattle, instead of human beings, their low condition would have caused their employers to feed them and to strengthen them before putting them to work.”

The first group of Chinese labourers arrived in Darwin in 1874 as indentured labourers or ‘coolies’. Many were highly skilled tradesmen and they were employed on roads, in the mines, on the Overland Telegraph and on railway construction. In the late 19th century, there were up to seven times more Chinese in the Territory than any other ethnic group and since then, the Chinese have continued to play a very important part in the development of the NT.

Their early contributions to all branches of industry and business were essential and without their enterprise, skills and the food they grew, life in the Territory would have been significantly less attractive.

They faced hardships and discrimination but their determination and perseverance helped them to overcome these difficulties and have earned them a very important place in Territory society and history.