Tribulations des immigrants chinois venus a Maurice

Propos bibliographiques recueillis de Philippe Ng Sing Kwong, le 15 octobre 2005, quelques mois avant son départ.

Photo de Philippe Ng mon beau pere

Philippe est né en 1922 à Meixian, en Chine. A l’âge de 18 mois, il fut adopté par sa nouvelle famille, et ne se souvient pas de ses parents biologiques. C’est très coutumier à Meixian et ailleurs en Chine d’être adopté par des proches parents sans enfant. Il passa son adolescence dans sa famille d’adoption qui a contribué à son éducation primaire. Il fréquenta l’école jusqu’à la sixième.

Après ses études, n’ayant pas de travail dans le village car les temps étaient très durs, il fut approché par un oncle de la famille Ng, qui était de retour de Maurice dans le village, et qui cherchait à recruter de la main-d’œuvre pour soutenir ses activités. Ainsi, un oncle, sous le nom de Ng Young Kwong, avança de l’argent pour payer son passage en bateau à destination de Maurice. Philippe décida de partir malgré son âge très jeune (16 ans), rempli d’un esprit d’aventure et motivé par un devoir d’accomplir sa vie.

En 1938, il débarqua à Maurice, et fut accueilli par son bienfaiteur, tonton Ng Young Kwong. Il commença ses armes comme nouveau venu dans une boutique à Mahebourg, tenu par la famille Wan, ancêtre des Wan Sek Law. Néophytes, ne parlant pas le langage, il est coutumier aux nouveaux arrivants d’être chargés des tâches les plus ardues pour servir le reste des employés de la boutique. Ainsi, il était apprenti cuisinier, marmiton, manutentionnaire en attendant d’apprendre le créole. Trois ans durant, il progressa et commença à maitriser le créole. Au terme de son emploi à Mahebourg, boutique éloigné dans la campagne, il devint commis, donc, était capable de servir la clientèle.

Sur recommandation de ses proches de la famille Ng, maintenant capable de converser dans le langage, il fut offert une nouvelle position, comme assistant commis, dans un grand magasin de Port Louis, dont les propriétaires étaient les Ng Yelim. Philippe voyait dans sa mutation vers Port Louis, une opportunité de s’épanouir et d’avancer dans la vie. C’était, en quelque sorte, une progression car, d’une petite boutique campagnarde à un magasin en ville, son statut augmentait.Le travail en ville était moins contraignant au point de vue horaire car les magasins, en ville avaient des horaires établies, contrairement aux boutiques de la campagne. Quatre ans durant, il apprit les rouages du commerce.

Juste après la guerre, en 1945, sur l’incitation de son oncle, le papa de Kwet Toung, il décida de partir de chez les Ng Yelim pour établir une boutique à la rue des Pamplemousses. Encore une fois, il voyait une opportunié d’être à son propre compte, autonome, et de fonder, par esprit du devoir, une famille. Avec un capital de Rs.3000, financé largement par son oncle, ils opéraient cette boutique. L’oncle était le partenaire principal, et utilisait ses contacts pour approvisionner la boutique en marchandises, et Philippe tenait la boutique. Bon an, mal an, ils s’en sortaient et avaient de quoi survivre. Malheureusement, au dire de Philippe, l’oncle acquittait ses dettes des surplus des recettes de la boutique. Comme ses dettes étaient supérieures des revenus générés par la boutique, leur commerce, sur l’insistance des fournisseurs, était intenable car ils étaient dans l’impossibilité de s’approvisionner en marchandises. Notre Philippe se retrouva démuni de ses économies et devait retrouver un autre travail. Peut être une défaite dans la vie qui l’a bien marqué, mais ô combien, le motivait pour faire encore mieux !

Il trouva de l’emploi comme commis dans une boutique à la rue Barbeau, chez les Li et y logeait. En 1946, il économisa suffisament d’argent pour faire venir sa « promise » de Chine. En effet, pendant son absence de Chine, ses parents avaient choisi une fille qui, selon la coutume, rejoignit la maison de la famille à l’âge de 11 ans. 1948 vit l’arrivée d’Edna à Maurice. Il rencontra sa femme pour la première fois et celle-ci le rejoignit dans son logis à la rue Barbeau. Puis il travailla à Beau Bassin, chez M. Ip Ten Youn, jusqu’au mois de septembre 1950. Par ailleurs, ils élirent domicile à la rue Bombay, où naquit Ah Pine dans la même année.

Toujours par le réseau de la famille Ng, la famille Ng King Kwong de Port Mathurin proposa du travail à Philippe. L’opportunité lui sourit encore une fois. Ils déciderènt donc de partir et de s’établir à Rodrigues. Il travailla quelques temps chez la famille Ng King Kwong, jusqu’au jour où, sur les recommandations de France Wong Kee Chuan, ils décidèrent d’ouvrir conjointement un commerce à la Ferme. Comme la famille avait déjà un commerce bien établi à Port Mathurin, Philippe était chargé de s’occuper de la boutique de la Ferme.

En 1957, d’un commun accord avec France Wong Kee Chuan, Philippe devint le seul propriétaire du commerce de la Ferme. Il réussit, à ce moment là, son rêve d’être autonome, indépendant et responsable de lui. Une nouvelle fierté et dignité augmentaient son estime en soi. Ainsi, sa famille s’agrandit et le commerce prospéra. Ce fut, cette fois-ci, le bon filon

Les réussites successives de ses enfants aux examens de la petite bourse, les succès de ses enfants dans leur vie sont une fois de plus source de fierté pour lui et sa famille. Le devoir d’un chinois n’est t-il pas de voir réussir ses progénitures pour marquer sa propre vie ? D’avoir dans sa famille des professionnels – mèdecin, ingénieur, professeur d’université – ne fait que couronner les efforts et labeurs donnés toute une vie sacrifiée à la cause du devoir.

Son vœu pour l’avenir était de voir encore réussir ses enfants et petits enfants dans leur vie.

C est l’histoire de bon nombre des immigrants chez nous.

6 comments ↓

#1 Eddy Young on 06.12.06 at 3:14 pm

Hello,

I found this account very interesting. I was born in Rodrigues and have always wondered how my seniors arrived there. I have heard bits and pieces from here and there but never enough for me to get the full story. Because our father is hard of hearing, it has always been difficult for us to communicate with him and to learn more of our origins.

This story is refreshing in that it reminds us that we should not take our present comforts for granted. Unfortunately, this is the trend among the younger ones these days.

Eddy

#2 Dany Liu on 07.17.06 at 4:49 am

DECLARING MY HEALING (Isaiah 53:5)
Father God, In the name of Jesus, I come before you and I claim these promises, through your word.
You said father God, in these verses:
(John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
You also say in
(Isaiah 53:5) But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

(Hebrews 11:6) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

(Proverbs 12:24) The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

(Proverbs 22:29) Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

1. Father God almighty, I thank you for being a God that heals and for making provisions for my healing in your only son Jesus Christ.
I claim verse
Exo 15:26 (ESV) saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.”

2. Father God, you are a Living God. Therefore I Confess with my mouth that I am receiving your son, Jesus Christ, as my healer. I also acknowledge that you, Father God, are also my only Lord and savior.
I claim verse
Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
Psa 103:3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

(Matthew 4:10) Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'”

3. Father God, I confess with my mouth that the Word of God is quick and Powerful to heal and that you, Father God has sent your Word to heal me.
I claim verse
Heb 4:12 (ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Psa 107:20 (ESV) He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

4. Father God, I do declare that the Word You sent is Jesus Christ, your son and is manifested through the Power of the spoken Word of the scriptures which I am now speaking, proclaiming and confessing.
I claim verse
Joh 1:1 (ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:14 (ESV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Rom 10:8 (ESV) But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

5. Father God, In the name of Jesus, Anoint my mouth with your word and power to heal my sickness and those of others; I believe that I have received the anointing and that your word in my mouth will not be weak but will produce enough power to heal my sickness as well as sickness of others.
I claim verse
Luk 11:13 (ESV) If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Mar 11:24 (ESV) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

6. Father God, I proclaim to the sickness (list them all) that Jesus Christ, your son whom I have received as my healer has paid for the sickness with his stripes and that I am releasing the sickness from my life to him to bear.
I claim verse
Isa 53:4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Mat 8:17 (ESV) This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

7. In the name of Jesus, I do declare now that by the anointing of my Father God in his word, let my sickness be lifted off my body as well as the yoke and pains of the sickness from my body and let it go now.
I claim verse
Isa 10:27 (ESV) And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat.”

8. In the name of Jesus, I do declare that all the power, visible and invisible responsible for the sickness in my life should be destroyed. All their devices spoiled and broken and their army scattered and confounded.
I claim verse
Luk 9:1 (ESV) And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

9. In the name of Jesus, I do proclaim that for this reason the Son of God, Jesus Christ came so that the works of darkness shall be destroyed, and therefore let every work of darkness in my life including the sponsors (Satan) of those work be destroyed completely.
I claim verse
1Jo 3:8 (ESV) Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

10. Now In the name of Jesus, I proclaim that by his stripes I am healed of all sickness,(List them all)
I am healed of ………….,
I am healed of …………
my wounds are healed,
my bones are healed,
my hurts are healed,
my heart is healed of ………………………..,
my eyes are healed as well as any other part of my body ailing in me.
I claim verse
Isa 53:5 (ESV) But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Psa 107:3 (ESV) and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

11. In the name of Jesus, I proclaim that my health is restored back to me and that my wounds are now healed.
I claim verse
Jer 30:17 (ESV) For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’

12. Now In the name of Jesus and by faith I hereby move the part of the body, ailing me and keep on pronouncing my healing and I will not give in to any discouragement or negative thoughts or imaginations.
I claim verse
Mar 11:23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
Mar 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

2Co 10:5 (ESV) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

13. Father God, I exercise my faith over and over again by believing what your word says about me, I do say it over and over to myself and trying myself out. I insist in your word having its way in my life and I refuse to back down.
I claim verse
Eph 6:18 (ESV) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

In the name of Jesus, I claim my health being restored fully as you have promised and that I am a living testimony of the power of your word which I have claimed and will continue to claim.

Amen

#3 Dany Liu on 07.17.06 at 4:52 am

Hi Joseph,

I have sent you a prayer with all the verses. Do pray and meditate on it everytime you are free. Our God is a loving God and a healer.

I will be with you in prayer.
Dany

#4 Florent on 08.07.06 at 1:58 pm

une passionnante histoire, merci beaucoup.

Effectivement il a fallu du courage et de l’esprit d’aventure à ce monsieur Philippe Ng !

#5 joseph on 08.08.06 at 10:39 pm

Merci Florent C est histoire de pas mal des immigrants chinois Hakka de L’ile Maurice

#6 clement on 04.21.08 at 3:41 pm

Joe,
Merçi d’avoir eu la bonne idée et la patience de recueillir les péripéties de nos parents.
Je sais combien leur vie a été un dur labeur et souvent je puise du courage à travers leur exemple

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