Coolies

Here is some Malaysia Traveller Trivia about coolies.

The word coolie (kuli) was used during the colonial era to describe indentured labourers, mostly from India and China, who often performed back breaking jobs for a pittance.

According to Collins Dictionary the origin of the word kuli is from Hindi or Tamil and refers to a hireling.

Vintage postcard from the author's own collection.

Although the term coolie is no longer used, Malaysia still imports foreign labourers to perform '3D' jobs (dirty, difficult or dangerous), from countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

In Melaka there is a narrow street called Jalan Kampung Kuli where labourers used to hang around seeking work. Hang Jebat’s mausoleum is located there.

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AUTHOR BIO

cartoon of author with an orangutan

David (the one on the left) is the writer behind Malaysia Traveller, sharing firsthand travel advice from over five decades of living and travelling across Asia and the Middle East. Based in Malaysia since 2009 and now in Kuching, he has published 700+ pages, personally visited every place he covers, and uses only his own photos. Readers can learn more on his About Me page. He also shares updates on Facebook and YouTube. He loves uncovering overlooked places even many Malaysians have never visited.