Chinese associations and identity construction in a multi-ethnic symbiotic society

―The Chinese in Trinidad: a preliminary report―

Abstract

　This paper preliminarily examines the question of identity of the descendants of Chinese immigrants in Trinidad, where a multi-ethnic symbiotic society exists. The Chinese started coming as indentured labourers from the beginning of the 19^th century. By the turn of the new century, many of them gained success from becoming professionals in the Caribbean, East Asia and the Britain. Of note, one of them became a Foreign Minister for Sun Yat-sen’s government. The inflow of the Chinese immigrants to Trinidad continues today, although on a smaller scale. Based on the stories shared by the Chinese Trinidadians in February 2019, the construction of their identity and the establishment of various Chinese Associations, as well as the interaction with other ethnic groups and the process of settlement in Trinidad are analysed. At present, Chinese individuals in Trinidad have various identities, and opt for one or some which is/are the most suitable depending on the circumstances. The other members of Trinidad’s society, such as Africans and East Indians, as majorities, and the details of the Chinese family backgrounds, affect the identity construction of the Chinese Trinidadians. As a result, the identity of the Chinese Trinidadian is unstable and shifts from “the Chinese from China”, “the Chinese”, “Chinese Trinidadian” and “Trinidadian”.