Dancing Sibu Ladies in Cheong Sam 1950's

This is a photo of my third uncle, his wife, Aunt Kie Gee,  and my second aunt, Phyllis. Most probably taken in Singapore.

Foochow ladies in cheongsams looking elegant and very well educated. The white suit was often worn for formal photos in those days.

My third uncle and aunty were well known dancers in Sibuduring their time. Uncle was educated in Shanghai like my father in the 1930's. So they were exposed to the social scene of New China. Both my father and uncle did not wear the traditional Chinese long gown as Nanyang students. They were always smartly dressed in western suits during their college days and for photo taking.

The social scene of Sibu after the Japanese Occupation saw post war economic recovery and the British colonial government officers held parties to have better relationship with the locals.

It was said that my father, second and third uncles who were very fine dancers were important guests at special functions in the 40's and 50's. The British Resident for example invited community leaders for cocktails followed by dancing with a local band in attendance. Invitation cards were sent out from the Resident's office. Those were the days. And surprisingly, Chinese ladies came in their best cheongsams. 

My lmother once commented about the ladies who went dancing with the guys in the Foochow Association. She said that those who wore cheongsams were very elegant and those who wore sarong kebaya were too "much" when they did the cha cha. She chuckled. My mother was too conservative to learn western social dances. But she did have that sense of humour to describe honestly the social scene of those days. According to her, a few of the Foochow ladies then were really good dancers. 

In fact we of the next generation all thought that it was grand that our third uncle and aunty were the best dancers in Sibu as it was reckoned by most relatives then. They were very much in love and were considered a very elegant couple.

There was a surprising historical fact. They were already good dancers in Binatang. Many couples had already learned how to dance well in Binatang, including our Second Uncle and Aunty. Those who could teach dancing were popular and young couples met in the upstairs of coffee shops (which also doubled as mahjong rooms). This was in the late 40's and early 50's.

It was that period of time that many Foochow ladies had a lot of cheongsams made - to take to the dance floor with their husbands. 

A few ladies had danced occasionally with the European officers. who were almost 2 feet taller!!

PS When Sarawak Hotel was built and there was a dance floor at the roof top, ladies wore high heels and big skirts with "can can" underskirts. (Another posting)