CHRONOLOGY OF THE CHINESE PIONEERS OF CHIANG CHUAN IN SARAWAK
At the dawn of the 19th century, Chinese pioneers from Chiang Chuan clans left their home country either to escape their domestic turmoil or in search of better future development overseas. Leaving their homeland or the two prefecture-level divisions of Zhang Zhou and Quan Zhou in the Fujian province of China, they undertook precarious journeys across the unforgiving ocean weathering great danger ultimately landing in the land of Hornbill, Sarawak. The phrase “Chiang Chuan” consists of two keywords namely “Chiang” which derives from the word “Zhang” of Zhang Zhou division and the word “Chuan” which derives from the word “Quan” of Quan Zhou division. Originating from the Fujian province, “Chiang Chuan” people were thus generically known as “Hokkien” which is the equivalent of the word Fujian in local dialect.
In this new wild land our pioneers endured extreme hardship. They battled tropical diseases. They had to adapt to the local jungle, fauna and wild animals. In this new untouched land the pioneers had to start from scratch with their bare hands. Since the pioneers arrived in many separate batches they were often lonely, homesick and helpless. However they continued their pioneering saga with unwavering spirit. Entrepreneurial Chiang Chuan clan were equipped with courage, diligence and congeniality enabling them to build cordial harmonious relationship with local indigenous people. Together the pioneers and the local indigenous people jointly laid down foundation for present day prosperity and progress.
For common benefit of all pioneers in this foreign isolated land, our pioneers began forming organizations and associations to forge a stronger sense of fellowship. It also began as a networking platform for advancing their commercial interests, preserving mutual wellbeing and furthering their cultural continuity.
The majority of Chiang Chuan people worshipped and sought spiritual refuge in the Deity of Land or “Tu Di Gong” who is colloquially known in Hokkien as “Tua Pek Kong”. “Eng Ang Den” temple of Sibu became a local landmark and religious centre. Our pioneers also worked together to establish other Tua Pek Kong temples which sprung up all over Sarawak like mushrooms after the rain. Although our pioneers had arrived at a distant land far away from their homeland, they continued to place great importance on their traditional Chinese custom of ancestor worship, respect for the elders and filial piety. Hence they opened up and maintained new burial grounds for communal use where clan members can have a common burial ground.
After settling down, the pioneers immediately recognized the great importance of educating their young ones. They firmly believed in the principle that “poverty shall not starve them of education”. Hence even during difficult times they shouldered great financial burden in establishing private schools. Their private schools educated their next generation, cultivated skilled talents and ensured continuity of their mother tongue. Many of these schools continue to operate until now.
According to historical writing, by the 1840s there were already pioneers from Chiang Chuan clans arriving in Sarawak. They were building atap houses, settling permanently and forming villages. According to Sarawak Gazette published on the 24th day of January 1871, there were already Chiang Chuan pioneers conducting barter trade with and buying local produce from the natives. They played an important role in the economic progress of Sarawak for instance in the banking sector, shipping sector, import and export business. Many famous merchants of our clan were respected by all races. Their contributions to Sarawak were accordingly recognized by the government. They were awarded titles and posts or have roads named after them. Their contributions therefore became part of the eternal collective memory.
Since the era of White Rajahs in the 1920s through to the British Colonial times until post-independence present day, many pioneers and members from the Chiang Chuan clan have volunteered to serve. They served their community and country. They participated in political elections. They were appointed as community representatives, councilors and association leaders. In more recent times our political representatives include the Assistant Minister YB Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck and the Assistant Minister YB Larry Sng Wei Shien.
In 1989, the Federation of Chiang Chuan Association of Sarawak was established with the aim of promoting a unified Chiang Chuan through co-operation, communication and integration between its members. At the same time it strives to create an open and tolerant society for a better tomorrow. Today the Federation comprises of 16 members. Hence today we are celebrating the founding of the Federation of Chiang Chuan Association of Sarawak.
Chiang Chuan pioneers are our ancestors who have made Sarawak our home. We as their descendants have today inherited their history of sacrifice and hardship as our heritage and legacy. Without their contribution, our achievement today would have been impossible. Without political stability and support of all the other races in Sarawak, our prosperity today would have been impossible. Chiang Chuan people have therefore become one with the people and land of Hornbill Sarawak. Let us now look into the future and hold hands together to strive for a better Sarawak.
砂拉越漳泉前輩拓荒之路专辑大纲
19世紀初叶，中国内部战乱频繁、政治局势动荡不安。漳泉先辈为求生存， 不惜冒着生命的危险及忍受着与至亲们分离的痛苦，离乡背井，远渡南洋。先辈们凭着百折不挠的精神，歷盡艰辛，终于来到了砂拉越-犀鸟之乡。这些先辈皆来自中国福建省的漳州及泉州, 现今俗称的“福建人”。
为了生活，先贤们忍受着思乡之苦，奋力与毒蛇猛兽及热带雨林的各种疾病搏斗。 他们筚路蓝缕， 在这一片荒芜的土地上开始了拓荒之路。经过一番奋斗, 终于有了收获。漳泉人勇于创业、善于应变的性格，为所在之地开拓了商机，带来一片欣欣向荣的景象。性格开朗、与人为善、喜交朋友的漳泉人很快的与其他族群建立良好关系,共同奠定了这块土地日后的繁荣与进步。
寄身異地，人地生疏，先輩们為了互惠互助，成立了地緣性組織以促进鄉情，互相關懷照顧。随后，这些組織也涉足公益事业，为同乡谋求福利，并成为促进各民族亲善交流及合作的重要平台.
漳泉人多是信奉土地公，即是俗称大伯公。先辈们初到此地时，精神上无所寄托，唯有祈求神明保佑，因此合力设立了大伯公庙。诗巫的永安亭大伯公庙堪称是当地的地标性建筑，也是当地重要的宗教活动中心之一。当然，漳泉人的宗教信仰并不只限于诗巫，大伯公庙更是如雨后春笋般在各地建立起来.
除了信仰上的延续，漳泉人也不忘文化的传承。他们将优秀的中华传统文化如孝亲敬老及各种的节庆带到了这片土地。此外，先輩們也為客死異鄉的同胞们辟置墓園，以慰亡灵。
在砂拉越扎根后,漳泉先辈们开始关注子女的教育。先辈们秉持着“再穷不可穷教育”的理念，在艰辛的环境中，毅然集资开办私塾，教育子女、培育人才，为维护和发扬母语教育奠定了稳固的基石。这些由漳泉先贤所发起的学校至今仍扮演着其神圣的角色。
据文宪记载，自1840年代，闽南漳泉人已来到砂拉越并在这里定居。根据1871年1月24日出版的砂拉越宪报的报导，当时在当地已有闽南漳泉属先辈，并与当地的友族进行物物交换，收购土产等经济活动。砂拉越州的经济，如银行业、船运业、大商行及出入口生意等更是逐渐繁荣与进步。在全砂各地, 漳泉属先辈皆是备受各族人仕尊敬的成功商人。为了表彰他们的功绩,砂州政府特颁有功勛衔予他们,并设置以他们的名字命名的道路以做永久纪念。
从二十年代白色拉者时期及英殖民地时代，一直到今天独立时代，曾有多位漳泉先贤挺身而出，或参加竞选，或受委为侨长、各级议员、社团领袖等。 他们都不遗余力地为地方、社会及国家的发展作出贡献。 自大马立国以来，漳泉的多位乡长都相继当选为国、州议员，并分别在国会以及州内阁为民请命。其中包括今日在朝的砂州助理部长拿督孙春德医生、孙伟轩乡贤等等。
为了达致“漳泉一家亲”的精神，砂拉越漳泉社团联合总会于1989年正式宣告成立。砂漳泉总会除了扮演联系乡谊的角色之外，也成为促进各民族亲善交流以及合作的重要桥梁。经过二十年的努力耕耘,现今拥有十六个属会。在今天砂漳泉总会庆祝成立二十周年的时刻，我们不敢忘记我们所肩负的使命，继续为团结全砂漳泉人及引领全砂漳泉人走向光明的道路出一份力。
漳泉先辈们所遗留下来的勤奋、刻苦和勤俭的生活美德是现代漳泉人向前迈进的最大动力。先贤们勇于冒险的开拓精神，造就了漳泉人无数的骄傲与荣耀。唯有延续这股崇高的精神，才能够充份体悟先人智慧的结晶，也才能够让我们攀上人生的另一个高峰。
马来西亚从建国到今，各民族和谐与进步，国家繁荣与稳定，漳泉人始终扮演着积极的角色。因此欣逢今日砂漳泉总会庆祝成立二十周年，让我们全体漳泉人秉持着先贤们勇于开拓的精神，肩负着承先启后，继往开来的时代使命，团结一致与其他族群携手合作，共同为开创国家更美好的明天而奋勇前进。
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