1868 Contrata (Contract) for a Chinese Coolie Labourer in Sagua La Grande Following Completion of His Primitive Contract, Signed in Chinese

On offer is a fascinating Contrata, being the second contract offered to Chinese coolie labourers after completing their first “primitive” contract. 

This contrata is written for Santiago, age 38 [Note: A Christian name assigned to Chinese coolies when they boarded the ship in Macau. For examples of this, see our collection of coolie ship manifests within the Chinese-Cuban collection]. In this contrata, Santiago agrees to work for another four years and will work for Mr. Nicolas Fuentes beginning in March of 1868. The contract states very clearly that Santiago may not stay in Cuba if he does not renew this contract or begin a new contract when this one expires (how will he get back to China? It would likely be impossible given the immense cost). The remainder of the contract discusses Santiago’s obligations to his boss, and the boss’ obligation to him. For example, he will be fed and clothed, allowed to rest if sick, but not paid if he cannot work. The contract is signed by a member of Sagua La Grande government plus witnesses and in Chinese by Santiago. 

The Chinese coolie trade, a system of indentured labor that targeted young, poor Chinese men, operated from 1847-1874. Throughout this period, African slavery was slowly being abolished around the world. The coolie trade was initiated by Britain and was eventually dominated by both Britain and the United States of America. Chinese coolie laborers were sent to work in British, American and Spanish colonies, and the nature of the trade changed throughout its 27-year operation, due to social and political pressures. The coolie trade took place, in large part, between the shipping port in Macao (now a part of China, then under Portuguese rule) and Havana, Cuba (then under Spanish control). As Macau was under Portugese rule at the time of the coolie trade, they transported coolies on their vessels frequently and many of the documents related to the trade were written in Portuguese and/or Spanish. To learn more about the Chinese coolie trade and its importance in world history, click here to read our in-depth research blog on the topic.

Since Chinese men who came to Cuba from Macau were extremely poor and often remained indebted to the master who purchased their initial primitive contract by the end of their work term, they were more or less forced to accept contratas such as this one. This is a vital piece of history connected to the Chinese coolie trade. 

This contrata measures approx 8.5x12.5 inches. It shows age toning and some fraying at two edges. It is a single folio leaf, typewritten and filled in ink on the recto only. Spanish Language. Overall G+