Long Du membership book

Long Du membership booklet cover

Image Courtesy of: Kira Brown

Membership booklet of Fung Gum Moon 方金滿 (Fang Jinman) from Ho Chung 濠涌 (Hao Yong) village for a support organisation for those originating in the south China district of Long Du (隆都).

This membership booklet of Fung Kum Moon 方金滿 (Fang Jinman), 金滿 “Kum Moon” aka 方文厚 Fong Mon How from Ho Chung 濠涌 (Hao Yong) village is for an organisation of those originating in the south China district of Long Du (隆都) illuminates the significance of regional and language identity that played such a substantial role in Chinese Australian history. The district referred to as ‘Long Du’ has a long history, part of Hsiangshan county 香山县 (now Zhongshan City 中山市) which was created as an official region in the 13th century. What most distinguishes Long Du and its approximately 80 villages from other Zhongshan districts is that its people speak a non-Cantonese language that re-enforced a sense of distinctness and fellowship both within Zhongshan and among Long Du communities overseas. The main overseas destinations of the people of Long Du being the United States, Hawaii, Peru, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.[1]

While a specific Long Du society of Sydney no longer exists (a more general Zhongshan one does), those of Hawaii and San Francisco still do. The purpose of these organisations is made clear in the objectives outlined in this membership booklet. It is very much a self-help association designed to pool resources and assist those originating in the Long Du district who find themselves in need and far from home. Membership is therefore defined by language and place of origin in Long Du. Once the fee was paid, entitlement to accommodation, passage money home, and assistance with immigration paperwork were all part of the benefits of membership.

[1] Williams, Michael., 2003, ‘In the Tang Mountains we have a Big House‘, East Asian History, vol. 25/26, June/December, pp. 85-112.

Thank you to Kira Brown in whose private collection this Long Du Society booklet remains.

See: https://chenquinjackhistory.com

Long Du membership rules pages

Image Courtesy of: Kira Brown

Long Du membership book inside pages

Image Courtesy of: Kira Brown