Chinese Handicraft

The Chinese have been visiting Sarawak since the 6th Century AD.
Today's Chinese communities are the result of successive waves of immigration, starting from the first intrepid explorers and traders to the economic migrants of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The first Chinese migrants worked as labourers in the gold mines at Bau or on plantations. It was only a matter of time before the Chinese, through their clan associations, business acumen and work ethic, organised themselves economically and rapidly dominated commerce.

Today, the Chinese are among Sarawak's most prosperous ethnic groups.

The Sarawak Chinese form 29% of the population. They belong to a wide range of dialect groups. The most significant groups are the Hokkien, Foochow, Hakka, Teochew, Cantonese and Henghua. Hokkien and Mandarin are the most widely spoken dialects.

Although they take great pride in their Sarawakian identity, the Chinese are also proud of their origins and maintain their ethnic heritage and culture. All the major cultural festivals are celebrated, including Chinese New Year, and the Hungry Ghost Festival. They brought to Sarawak their own arts and crafts, particularly the production of gold jewellery and ceramics which are sold in most major centres.

The Sarawak Chinese are adherents to an eclectic mix of religions: Christianity, Orthodox Buddhism, Reform Buddhism and Taoism. One thing they all share is a strong belief in the importance of good luck, spiritual harmony, and a well-balanced lifestyle to bring long life and prosperity.