A Penang event honours majie, who have helped Malaysian and Singaporean families

Chan (left) and Chen (right) visited Guan Libo (centre), the oldest living majie from China at 93, at her home in Panyu, Quandong, in 2024. — CHAN LEAN HENG

This March and April, a special event in Georgetown, Penang will honour a forgotten yet remarkable sisterhood, the majie.

These women were more than just domestic workers during the colonial era; they were a unique fraternity of independent women from China who devoted their lives to serving families in Malaysia and Singapore, particularly raising their children, in the 19th and early 20th century.