This blue and white jar was a gift from a majie named Hing to one of the children she looked after.Majies migrated to Singapore from southern China, mostly the Pearl River Delta, in the 1930s where many found employment as domestic helpers. Majie is derived from a Shun Tak term (ma cheh) which means mother and sister – alluding to their spinsterhood and their work looking after children. Majie would wear a 'uniform' consisting of a white samfoo and black trouders.Ah Hing worked for the Kwok family for 40 years. Hing had general duties including caring for the young children of the family. Later on, her role was exclusively as a cook. The Kwok family has fond memories of the dishes she made including double boiled stuffed chicken, braised fish head, layered pork and yam and more. Although she worked in Singapore, Hing would occasionally return to her village to visit her family. After one visit, she brought back this blue and white jar as a gift to Kenson, one of the children she cared for as he liked antiques.
