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19th Century

The document discusses the working conditions of cigarreras (female cigar rollers) in 19th century Manila. It describes how they frequently worked 12-hour days, 6 days a week in poorly ventilated factories while being exposed to tobacco dust. They received extremely low pay and many faced financial difficulties. Additionally, the cigarreras were often sexually harassed and abused by their employers. While conditions were difficult, many had no other choice but to continue working to support their families.

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beaquincena18
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34 views4 pages

19th Century

The document discusses the working conditions of cigarreras (female cigar rollers) in 19th century Manila. It describes how they frequently worked 12-hour days, 6 days a week in poorly ventilated factories while being exposed to tobacco dust. They received extremely low pay and many faced financial difficulties. Additionally, the cigarreras were often sexually harassed and abused by their employers. While conditions were difficult, many had no other choice but to continue working to support their families.

Uploaded by

beaquincena18
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. What can you say about the conditions of the cigarreras in Manila?

The 19th century in Manila saw severe and unjust working conditions at cigarreras. They
frequently put in up to 12 hours per day, six days per week, in poorly ventilated factories. The
cigarreras were frequently exposed to tobacco dust, which could lead to respiratory issues, in
the factories' busy, noisy environment. Additionally, they received extremely poor pay, and
many of them had financial difficulties.
The employers and supervisors of the cigarreras might harass and abuse them sexually. Since
many cigarreras were young and single, they frequently felt pushed to engage in sexual activity
with their bosses in order to maintain their employment.
Many cigarreras stayed to work in the factories despite the unfavorable working conditions
because they had few other options. They frequently served as their families' sole source of
income, and they relied on it to get by.
The Manila cigarreras' conditions are summarized as follows:
 Long workdays in factories with limited ventilation
 lower pay
 strict control
 Sexual assault and harassment

The Philippine economy during the nineteenth century benefited greatly from the cigarrera
industry. They oversaw making cigars, the nation's most lucrative export. They labored under
hard and exploitative conditions, but they paid a high price for their contribution.
2. What do these excerpts reveal about the life in nineteenth century Manila?

The passages demonstrate the variety of life in nineteenth-century Manila. On the one hand,
the city had a multicultural population from all over the world and was a cosmopolitan hub of
trade and culture. However, it was also a very unequal city, with a small elite class living in
luxury and most of the population struggling to make ends meet.

The snippets also show how quickly the city was evolving at the time. The city was expanding
quickly because of the introduction of new industries and technologies by the Spanish colonial
administration. However, this expansion also brought along brand-new issues including
overcrowding, poverty, and crime.
The extracts are further examined in the following manner:

 Excerpt 1: This passage describes the busy Manila port, where ships from all over the
world come and go. It also refers to the numerous churches and convents in the city,
which served as a reminder of Spanish colonial control.

 Excerpt 2: This passage highlights the numerous stores and markets in the city, where
people from all ages and backgrounds flocked to purchase and sell products. The
numerous festivals and celebrations that took place in the city and provided the locals
with amusement are also mentioned.

 Excerpt 3: The city's numerous destitute residents are described in this passage as living
in cramped, unsanitary conditions. The numerous squatters and criminals in the city are
also mentioned.

 Excerpt 4: This passage depicts the city's numerous opium and gambling houses, where
locals went to get away from the harsh realities of daily life.

Overall, the extracts show that nineteenth-century Manila life was intricate and varied. Both
enormous potential and great hardship might be found in the city. Many people there battled to
exist, yet it was a place where people traveled from all over the world to make their fortunes.
3. How can these excerpts be related to a discussion about the situation of women in
nineteenth century Manila?

It's vital to remember that the extracts are written from the viewpoint of affluent Americans
and Europeans. They do not include the voices of the city's working-class and poor women,
therefore they do not give a complete picture of the status of women in nineteenth-century
Manila. The snippets, however, can be utilized to spark a conversation regarding the difficulties
women faced in Manila at the time.

 Women in the home


The passages portray a society in which wives and mothers were primarily expected of
women. They were frequently discouraged from engaging in other pursuits since they
had responsibilities for taking care of their families and houses. For instance, the author
praises the many attractive ladies in the city in Excerpt 2, yet he also mentions that they
are "secluded" and "domestic."

 Women in poverty
The excerpts also demonstrate how prevalent poverty was among women in nineteenth-
century Manila. The author of Excerpt 4 describes the numerous beggars in the city,
many of whom were female. The numerous ladies who were compelled to sell their
bodies to survive are also mentioned by him.

Here are some examples of how the extracts can be used to talk about the status of women in
Manila during the nineteenth century:

 Excerpt 1: To talk about the legal limitations on women in Manila, use the example of
the ladies who were forbidden from leaving their houses without a chaperone.

 Excerpt 2: The cigarreras excerpt might be used to talk about the working circumstances
for women in Manila.

 Excerpt 3: You may talk about poverty and brutality against women in Manila by
referring to the beggars and the ladies who sold their bodies.
 Excerpt 4: The section concerning the opium dens and gambling dens can be utilized to
talk about the dangers that women in Manila faced.

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