A sirih seller

Title
A sirih seller
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Singapore/Malaysia
Dimension
Image size: L14cm X W9.1cm
Accession No.
1991-00380

There were different ways those in the lower stratum of society earned a living during the late 19th and early 20th century. Hawking drinks and food, selling vegetables, cobbling, pulling rickshaws and even telling fortunes were some of the typical pavement occupations. Some women also took to producing basketry and embroideries. Here, the postcard depicts a Malay woman selling sirih, more commonly known as the betel plant.