[Cuba]. [Chinese Immigration]

[Group of Manuscript Documents Relating to the Late 19th-Century Cuban-Chinese Society, "Recreo Asiatico Español," Established in the Province of Matanzas]

[Corral Falso de Macuriges: 1884]. Four manuscript documents, totaling [14]pp. Sewn with thin thread; previously bound, with small stabholes at left margin; blank front wrapper, lacking rear. Minor worming, minimally affecting text. Toning and foxing. Accomplished in several legible scripts, with two contemporary Chinese ink stamps. About very good. Item #3502

A rare and complete manuscript Expediente that documents the formation of a Chinese mutual aid association in rural Cuba during the mid-1880s. "Havana’s Chinatown has many Chinese mutual aid associations, or huiguans. Initially, huiguans were established to provide social welfare assistance to Chinese bachelors in Cuba. In the decades following the 1847 arrival of the first Chinese indentured servants, the immigrants were quickly plugged into Cuban society through their affiliation with one or more of these associations, which provided orientation, bureaucratic and legal aid, translation services, help with letter writing, temporary lodging, credit and mutual aid, and emergency funds. Since their inception, the associations have been sources of historical narratives and genealogies, and sites of Chinese community activity, recreation and education, promoting cultural and festive celebrations of the Chinese lunar calendar" -- Tsang.

The documents present here are dated 1884 and emanate not from Havana, but from the small village of Corral Falso de Macuriges, now known as Pedro Betancourt, in the center of the province of Matanzas, east of the capital. Three smaller pieces record the process of the local government, and note their receipt of the application to form the society, a portion of the negotiation to receive approval for the association, including a request for a copy of the proposed rules and bylaws, and an acknowledgement of the receipt of those rules. The most significant document is the complete copy of the proposed rules, titled, "Reglamento de la Sociedad de Beneficencía y Recreo Asiatica de Corral Falso de Macuriges Denominanta 'Recreo Asiatico Español,'" that was provided to authorities. These rules are collected into eight sections, the first of which states the purpose and goals of the society, reading, in part:

"Esta Sociedad, denominada Recreo Asiatico Español, es con el objeto de propender al socorro de sus socios necesitados. Asi mismos proporcionales ratos de distraccion y recreo. Tendrá a la vez, casa de recreo y de salud donde serán asistidos los socios enfermos, siendo por cuenta de la sociedad gastos que se curacíon demande. Uno de los medícos residentes en el poblado, será el que ha de encargarde de la asistencia, de los que enfermaren el cual será costeado de los fondos del Instituto. En esta sociedad, no de permitirán otras clases de fuegos [?] que los autoridades por las Leyes de este pais."

Subsequent chapters continue to describe the responsibilities of the association officers, including the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and the duties of its board of directors, as well as the responsibilities of its members. In all, the documents provide a significant record of the cultural and societal organization by Chinese immigrants in Cuba beyond Havana during the later stages of Spanish colonial rule on the island.

Price: $8,500.00