Card Game Item Number: Edz1089 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Card game consisting of a box of 84 elongated rectangular cards, each with black marks and images on the face and black on the reverse. The box, printed in red and green, has images depicting two elephants as well as text in English and Chinese.
History Of Use
Cards of this type were used for card games enjoyed by elderly people sitting outdoors in Hong Kong. At the time of collection (1980), groups of elderly Hakka women could be seen seated outdoors wherever there was available space, enjoying this leisure-time activity, which normally included small-scale gambling. They might gather anywhere—under a bridge or flyover, for example, sitting on makeshift seating. The game did not require literacy, as few elderly Hakka women at that time had the opportunity for any education. Older men gathered in parks or wherever there was space, playing Chinese chess, called “elephant chess”. Their games attracted large groups of other men, who commented regularly on the game, making suggestions. Both men and women played mahjong, which also involved gambling, but this was done indoors, in shops created for the purpose or in people’s homes if they had enough space. Younger people almost inevitably had to work hard to support their families in this difficult economic time, with very little time off, so they could not engage in social activities like this.
Cultural Context
Toys and games
Narrative
From a shop or market stall in Tsuen Wan.
Item History
- Made in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China during 1979
- Collected by Elizabeth L. Johnson during 1979
- Owned by Elizabeth L. Johnson before March 17, 1980
- Received from Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on March 17, 1980
What
- Name
- Card Game
- Identification Number
- Edz1089
- Type of Item
- game
- Material
- paper, ink and paste adhesive
- Overall
- height 2.0 cm, width 8.8 cm, depth 3.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese: Hakka
- Field Collector
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Previous Owner
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Received from
- Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China
When
- Creation Date
- during 1979
- Collection Date
- during 1979
- Ownership Date
- before March 17, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on March 17, 1980
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0610/0059