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MULTICULTURALISM
There were many different races involved with the pearling industry of Broome and there was
always jealously, and bitter rivalry among the Asiatics. The results of this mix of cultures and races
can be seen today in the faces of the people of Broome.
The Slide Show below shows the exact locations around the globe of where the people related with the pearling industry came from. The races include Chinese, Japanese, Sri Lankans, West Australians (mainly Aborigines), Torres Strait Islanders, Manilamen and Filipinos from the Phillipines, Malays from Malaysia, Rotumah men from Roti, Koepangers from Timor, and Amboinese from the Molluccas.
During the olden days of pearilng, each of the various races which came to Broome for the pearling
industry were grouped into their own social classes each with varying importance. The highest and
most respected class were the white pearling masters who built and pioneered the industry,
because they had the money. The pearling masters rarely 'mixed' with the other coloured races and
held themselves apart. They were principally occupied with the construction, organisation, and
management of the lugger fleets and prospected for new pearling grounds. The pearling masters
also associated themselves within the pearl and shell market and were responsible for winning
overseas markets. According to Full Fathom Five, the pearling masters employed various races for
work within their home: Each pearling master had a Chinese or Japanese cook, an aboriginal for
garden work, Koepanger boys supervised the children at play, did the housework and polished the
silver, an Aboriginal woman did the daily washing, a Chinese person did the ironing and the waiter
was either a Japanese or Koepanger.
The Malays and Manilamen were usually employed as pearl shell divers, however the Japanese,
whom seemed naturally immune against ill-fortunes associated with high pressure such as otitis
(inflammation of the ears), otorrhagia (bleeding of the ears), and epistaxis (bleeding of the nose),
were recuited and indeed overtook them because they were more ambitious, quicker to learn, and
ready to take risks. The Japanese were also recruited as tenders and made up the main majority of
people working on the luggers.
Most of the other races were involved on the deck either as being deck hands, pump crews or
cooks.
