Mui tsai

Mui tsai (Chinese: 妹仔; Jyutping: mui6 zai2; pinyin: mèi zǎi; literally "little sister") refers to a historical form of child slavery or indentured servitude practiced primarily in pre-revolutionary China and in Chinese communities abroad. The term specifically describes young girls who were sold or given away by their families, usually due to extreme poverty or famine, to wealthier households.

The mui tsai were typically employed as domestic servants and often subjected to harsh treatment, including long hours, physical abuse, and a lack of education. They were considered the property of their owners and had no legal rights. Their situation differed from formal adoption in that they were treated as servants rather than family members. Unlike concubines, their primary purpose was domestic labor.

The practice of mui tsai was outlawed in China following the Communist Revolution in 1949, and efforts were made to abolish it in other regions with significant Chinese populations, such as Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. However, remnants of the practice persisted for some time after.

While formally illegal in modern times, concerns remain regarding potential forms of child exploitation and trafficking that bear similarities to the historical mui tsai system. Organizations continue to work to combat these issues and protect vulnerable children.