Spartan Foochow Bride's Dowry from Her Parents

There were four items an aunt received from her parents for her wedding. After the Japanese Occupation, every family had very little. Cash was almost non existent. The Japanese currency was worth nothing and people were so poor they could not buy things from each other. Trade was almost at a standstill.

My mother told us that immediately after the war, a man came along and wanted to marry one of her cousins very desparetly because he wanted to bring her to the Ulu, further up from Kapit where he found a job as a cook for a timber company.

My mother's aunt and uncle put together four items as dowry for her young cousin.

Some how her mother managed to keep some red materials in her cupboard over the years.

So the mother hand sewed four pieces of embroidered red cloth

a) A door top curtain - this is to provide some privacy. Normally in the olden days couples do not close their doors in the day time. My photo shows a door top curtain but it is white in colour. the Japanese continue to use this kind of curtain a lot.


b) A small small length of curtain to be hung behind a cupboard and a wall to provide some privacy for the tampoi
c) a top panel for mosquito net
d) A red panel for the base of a Chinese wooden bed

(This photo shows a t raditional Foochow bed, hand crafted. 5 plank bed. The bed posts have been removed. A curtain used to hang from the bed to help cover what was under the bed.)


My mother told us that even though these were very simple gifts, her cousin was very touched and especially her the bride groom.

With so little to start with, without any gold gifts,  the couple did have everlasting happiness and many children. They led a good life.