Beyond the Grass Huts: The "La Liao" Superstition and the Quiet Reform in Colonial Vietnam

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 The Struggle for Maternal Dignity

Introduction

In the early 20th century, as the Chinese diaspora settled in the bustling districts of Cholon and Saigon, they encountered a local Vietnamese custom that struck them as both tragic and hazardous: the "La Liao" (grass hut) childbirth superstition. Through his decade of residence in Vietnam (1922–1931), Chen Tianjie documented how this deeply rooted belief dictated the lives of Vietnamese women and how the presence of the Chinese community eventually helped transform local societal norms.

The Nightmare of "La Liao"

The core of the superstition rested on the belief that childbirth was an "unlucky" event for a household. It was believed that if a woman gave birth inside a permanent residence, it would bring misfortune to the family, cause the population to dwindle, and disturb the peace of the home.

To avoid this perceived curse, pregnant women were forced to leave their homes as they approached their due date. They had to seek out:

• "La Liao" (Grass Huts): The term originated from the local dialect for dilapidated, abandoned thatched huts.

• Deplorable Conditions: These huts were often located in damp, swampy areas, filled with insects, ants, and filth. Giving birth in such an environment caused immense physical suffering and led to frequent bacterial infections for both mother and child.

The Philanthropy of Chen Qiyuan

The plight of these women deeply moved the Chinese merchant Chen Qiyuan (who later became famous for founding the first modern silk filature in Nanhai, China). Disturbed by the suffering caused by this superstition, Chen took a proactive step toward humanitarian relief:

• He personally funded the construction of a large, sturdy thatched house capable of accommodating more than 20 people.

• He offered this facility to local Vietnamese women for free, providing a significantly cleaner and safer environment for childbirth than the "La Liao" they were accustomed to.

A Silent Cultural Revolution

While Chen Qiyuan provided an immediate physical solution, a more profound psychological shift occurred as the urban landscape of Cholon developed. As the Chinese community built permanent brick houses and grew in number, the local Vietnamese residents observed a curious phenomenon:

1. Chinese families gave birth indoors: For the Chinese, giving birth at home was natural and auspicious.

2. No misfortune followed: The Vietnamese saw that the Chinese homes remained prosperous and healthy despite the "taboo" of indoor birth.

Over time, this observation served as a form of "cultural sensitization." The Vietnamese people were gradually influenced by the reality they saw every day. The superstition lost its grip as locals realized that a mother and child could be welcomed into a warm home without inviting disaster.

Conclusion

The eradication of the "La Liao" superstition is a testament to the power of cultural exchange. It was not through forced legislation, but through a combination of philanthropic intervention and the quiet, lived example of a neighboring community that a hazardous tradition was finally consigned to history.

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Chronicles of a Southern Sojourn: Li Zhongjue’s Observations of Modern Medicine and Colonial Society in Singapore

The Praise of Modern Medicine in a Colonial Outpost

Introduction

In 1887, Li Zhongjue, a scholar from Shanghai, journeyed to Singapore to visit his close friend Zuo Binglong, the Chinese Consul. His observations, later published as Xingjiapo Fengtuji (The Customs of Singapore) in 1895, provide a rare late-Qing perspective on the rapid modernization of the British Straits Settlements. While Li documented everything from the "pearl-like" geography of the island to the thriving pepper and gambier trades, he was particularly struck by the stark differences between Chinese and Western approaches to public health and institutional management.

The Architecture of Healing: Praising the Western Hospital

One of the most significant sections of Li’s record is his detailed praise for the British-run hospitals in Singapore. He describes these institutions as models of "perfected regulations" and "impeccable cleanliness".

• Environmental Standards: Li marveled at the spaciousness of the facilities, noting that the hospital grounds were vast and the wards were both clean and well-ventilated.

• Patient Dignity: He observed that each patient was provided with their own bed, along with a long table and stool for eating and resting.

• Freedom of Movement: Unlike the restrictive or grim atmospheres of contemporary Chinese relief houses, Li noted that patients in Singapore were allowed to stand, sit, or walk freely, appearing "without the appearance of being constrained or suffering".

A Critique of Domestic Conditions

Li used his praise for Singapore’s hospitals as a mirror to critique the state of charitable institutions in China. He noted that while Chinese cities had many benevolent halls (Shan Tang), their physical conditions were often "cramped and oppressive," filled with "foul-smelling vapors". He argued that a healthy person entering such a place would likely fall ill, and a sick person would find no recovery. By adopting the Western model of expanding land, increasing the number of rooms, and hiring dedicated cleaning staff, Li believed the impact on public welfare would be immense.

Cultural Friction and Modern Infrastructure

Despite his admiration for the facilities, Li recognized the deep-seated cultural fear many Chinese residents felt toward Western medical practices, which they found "alarming" or "terrifying". He pointed to the Kiang Wu Hospital in Macau as a successful middle ground: it adopted Western-style regulations for ward separation (internal medicine, surgery, infectious diseases) but employed Chinese doctors using traditional herbal formulas.

Beyond medicine, Li noted other facets of Singapore’s modern infrastructure:

• Sanitation: The British engineered a sophisticated water system, sourcing spring water from the mountains, filtering it through sand, and piping it into the city.

• Civil Engineering: He praised the iron bridges, which he found even more sturdy than those in the foreign concessions of Shanghai.

• Public Safety: The fire prevention system involved telegraph alerts and high-pressure water gates, ensuring that "no major fires" occurred.

Conclusion

Li Zhongjue’s account is more than a travelogue; it is a call for modernization. By highlighting the "spotless wards" and "systematic regulations" of Singapore’s hospitals, he provided his Chinese readers with a vision of how social welfare could be transformed through architectural and administrative reform.