Session Name: Sailing Against the Current: Water Communities and Geopolitical Dynamics in Historical China
2 - Fisherfolk Go Ashore: The Evolution of Huangpu Island in the 19th Century Maritime Trade
Monday, July 29, 2024
11:15 – 13:00 (GMT+7)
Presentation Abstract This paper explores the gradual development of a village on Huangpu (Whampoa) Island as a result of prosperous maritime trade and cross-cultural interactions during the 19th century. It argues that the official utilization of the island in maritime trade attracted Chinese individuals, primarily fisherfolk from the Pearl River Delta, who lived alongside foreign sailors on the island and established their own businesses. As trade activities thrived, prominent families emerged in the village. Situated in the estuary of the Pearl River, Huangpu Island played a significant role in customs governance and marine defense from the late 17th century onwards. While scholarly attention has been focused on the commercial activities of merchants in Guangzhou, little has been discussed regarding the situations on Huangpu Island and its neighboring small islands, which were closely intertwined with the everyday lives of foreigners. Land leases, daily exchanges, conflicts, and other occurrences on the island predate the First Opium War. Although Huangpu Island was initially considered a peripheral location for housing foreigners, it gradually evolved into a crucial site for cross-cultural interactions, particularly during the 19th century. This research delves into the stories of ordinary individuals residing on the island, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the southern littoral area of late Qing China.
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