Title
Majie’s mandarin-collar top
Year/Period
Mid-20th century
Region
Singapore
Material
Dimension
Gross measurement: 73.5 x 109.5 cm
Accession No.
2017-00890
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Dr Mark Lu
This blue coloured mandarin-collar top with woven stripes belonged to a majie, a Cantonese female domestic helper. Majie is derived from a Shun Tak term (ma cheh) which means mother and sister. As this group of women had taken a vow never to marry, the term Majie alludes to their spinsterhood and refers to their work taking care of children. Majies typically wore a samfoo uniform consisting of a white mandarin-collar top and black trousers.
