you are currently viewing:
Peranakan on Wikipedia
Penang Peranakan Mansion
Singapore Peranakan Museum
The Peranakan Association of Singapore
Peranakan Place
SMJK Perempuan China Pulau Pinang
Ms Grace Choong
PCGHS K2A/08
Travel & Explore
Peranakan on Wikipedia
Penang Peranakan Mansion
Singapore Peranakan Museum
The Peranakan Association of Singapore
Peranakan Place
Music Box
Credits
SMJK Perempuan China Pulau Pinang
Ms Grace Choong
PCGHS K2A/08
Preserve Strait Chinese Culture!!
Most peranakan are of Hokkien ancestry, although a sizable number are of Teochew or Cantonese descent. Originally, the Strait Chinese were part Chinese, part Malay, and part descended from the original inhabitants of Singapore Island. Written records from the 19th and early 20 centuries show that the Strait Chinese men usually took brides from within the local Strait Chinese community. Strait Chinese families also frequently imported brides from China and send their daughters to China to find husbands.
History
Main
Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya or Straits Chinese are terms used for the descendants of the very early Chinese immigrants to the Nusantra region, including both the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java among other places, who have partially adopted Malay customs in an effort (chronological adaption) to be assimilated into the local communities. The word Peranakan is also used to describe Chinese Indonesians. In both Malay and Indonesian, ‘Peranakan’ means ‘descendants’. Babas refer to the male descendants and the Nyonyas the female. The word nyonya (commonly spelled nonya) may originate from the Portugese word dona, which means ‘lady’.
Most peranakan are of Hokkien ancestry, although a sizable number are of Teochew or Cantonese descent. Originally, the Strait Chinese were part Chinese, part Malay, and part descended from the original inhabitants of Singapore Island. Written records from the 19th and early 20 centuries show that the Strait Chinese men usually took brides from within the local Strait Chinese community. Strait Chinese families also frequently imported brides from China and send their daughters to China to find husbands.
History
In the 15th century, the city states of the Malay Peninsula often paid tribute to various kingdoms such as the kingdoms of China and Siam. Close relations with China were established in the early 15th century, during the reign of Parameswara, when Admiral Cheng Ho (a Muslim Chinese) visited Malacca. According to traditional accounts, in 1495 CE, the Emperor of China sent a princess, Hang Li Po, to the Sultan of Malacca as a token of appreciation for his tribute. The royalty and servants who accompanied the princess initially settled in Bukit Cina and eventually grew into a class of straits-born Chinese known as the Straits Chinese (Peranakan).
The Straits Chinese retained most of their ethnic and religious origins, but assimilated the language and culture of the Malays.
They developed a unique culture and distinct foods. Numerous sources claim that the early Straits Chinese inter-married with the local Malay population; this might derive from the fact that some of the servants who settled in Bukit Cina that travelled to Malacca with the Admiral from Yunnan were Muslim Chinese. However, the general lack of physical resemblance has led many experts to believe that the Straits Chinese ethnicity has hardly diluted.
They developed a unique culture and distinct foods. Numerous sources claim that the early Straits Chinese inter-married with the local Malay population; this might derive from the fact that some of the servants who settled in Bukit Cina that travelled to Malacca with the Admiral from Yunnan were Muslim Chinese. However, the general lack of physical resemblance has led many experts to believe that the Straits Chinese ethnicity has hardly diluted.
Some Peranakan distinguish between Peranakan-Baba from Peranakan. The Straits Chinese often sent their sons and daughters to China to look for spouses. Also the religion of the local Malay population was Islam which forbids inter-marriage with other religions without conversion first. In the early 1800s, new Chinese immigrants to the Straits Settlements bolstered the Straits Chinese population.
Over the centuries, the Straits Chinese have evolved a unique culture that maintains many Chinese traditions, such as celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival, while adopting the customs of the land they settled in, as well as those of their successive colonial rulers. Traces of Portuguese, Dutch, British, Malay and Indonesian influences are found in Baba culture.
By the middle of the 20th century, most Strait Chinese were English educated as a result of the British colonization of Malaya, and the natural propensity of these people who were able to easily embrace new cultures. Because the Strait Chinese readily embraced English culture and education, administrative and civil service posts were often filled by prominent Straits Chinese. The interaction with the British also caused many in the community to convert to Christianity.
The Strait Chinese community thereby became very influential in Penang, Malacca and Singapore and were known also as the King’s Chinese due to their perceived loyalty to the British Crown. Because of the interaction of the different cultures and languages that Strait Chinese had, most Strait Chinese were trilingual, being able to converse with Chinese, Malays and the British, since the Babas also enjoyed good relations with the Malay community and served as advisors to the royal Malay courts.
The term “Baba” is an honorific term in Malay; probably derived from Hindi/Sanskrit. It literally means grandfather or father, and is used as a term of reverence and affection for an elderly gentleman.
The term “Baba” is an honorific term in Malay; probably derived from Hindi/Sanskrit. It literally means grandfather or father, and is used as a term of reverence and affection for an elderly gentleman. 
Preserve Strait Chinese Culture!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Furniture
The old Chinese furniture came from south China in the last 150 years.
Usually the furniture was made from a greenish variety of cedarwood called namwood.
The furniture was used as part of the wedding ceremony and the spacious bridal chamber.
The distinguishing feature of the red and gold furniture is its elaborate decoration.
Flowers, plants and small insects also appear in these pieces.
The relief work is usually gilded in contrast to the red lacquered background.
The red and gold colours were regarded as auspicious and crushed mother-of-pearl flakes are sometimes sprinkled onto the surrounds as an additional decoration.
Teak Wood
The distinctive Straits Chinese or Peranakan style of teak furniture was made during the period of 1880 to 1930.
The unique style the developed drew on a combination of Chinese, Malay and Colonial influences.
Although the shapes were basically taken from England’s Victorian era the furniture was modified to suit local needs.
The method of construction now included the use of nails and glue to secure the joints.
Colonial Furniture
Colonial furniture is furniture that was made in Singapore and Malaysia during the British occupation.
The furniture, which was mostly made from teak, was originally put together by local carpenters for colonial companies and residents.
The appearance of the furniture is very European. Colonial pieces are plainer and without the embellishment of the Straits Chinese furniture.
The great advantage was that the furniture could be made expertly, conveniently and economically.
The cluttered appearance of antique and period objects on the table top and shelves of the massive sideboard shown here in the background, together with a 1950s settee and a glass case containing antique silver and others, reminds one of the interiors of many antique shops in Jonker Street (now Jalan Hang Jebat), Malacca, some 25 years ago.
Blackwood Furniture
Blackwood furniture of the type with simple and relatively unadorned designs.
In fact, they were rarely seen in old Baba homes. The Babas preferred a type of blackwood furniture which is ornately overlaid with small chips of mother-pearl-inlays.
Cabinets
The Babas referred to large display cabinets with long glass panels for the doors, the sides and sometimes the shelves as well as the tu kacha (that is ‘glass cabinets’).
Furniture
The old Chinese furniture came from south China in the last 150 years.
Usually the furniture was made from a greenish variety of cedarwood called namwood.
The furniture was used as part of the wedding ceremony and the spacious bridal chamber.
The distinguishing feature of the red and gold furniture is its elaborate decoration.
Flowers, plants and small insects also appear in these pieces.
The relief work is usually gilded in contrast to the red lacquered background.
The red and gold colours were regarded as auspicious and crushed mother-of-pearl flakes are sometimes sprinkled onto the surrounds as an additional decoration.
Teak Wood
The distinctive Straits Chinese or Peranakan style of teak furniture was made during the period of 1880 to 1930.
The unique style the developed drew on a combination of Chinese, Malay and Colonial influences.
Although the shapes were basically taken from England’s Victorian era the furniture was modified to suit local needs.
The method of construction now included the use of nails and glue to secure the joints.
Colonial Furniture
Colonial furniture is furniture that was made in Singapore and Malaysia during the British occupation.
The furniture, which was mostly made from teak, was originally put together by local carpenters for colonial companies and residents.
The appearance of the furniture is very European. Colonial pieces are plainer and without the embellishment of the Straits Chinese furniture.
The great advantage was that the furniture could be made expertly, conveniently and economically.
The cluttered appearance of antique and period objects on the table top and shelves of the massive sideboard shown here in the background, together with a 1950s settee and a glass case containing antique silver and others, reminds one of the interiors of many antique shops in Jonker Street (now Jalan Hang Jebat), Malacca, some 25 years ago.
Blackwood Furniture
Blackwood furniture of the type with simple and relatively unadorned designs.
In fact, they were rarely seen in old Baba homes. The Babas preferred a type of blackwood furniture which is ornately overlaid with small chips of mother-pearl-inlays.
Cabinets
The Babas referred to large display cabinets with long glass panels for the doors, the sides and sometimes the shelves as well as the tu kacha (that is ‘glass cabinets’).
Labels: Furniture, teakwood, Victorian era
Preserve Strait Chinese Culture!!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Nyonyaware
Porcelain singularly intended for the Straits Chinese community in the former Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. An older term is Nyonyaware, referring to porcelain used by married Chinese women of some standing, in Malaysia.
Chinese porcelain is created in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries specifically for the unique community of Straits-born Chinese whose ancestors settled in Malacca four centuries earlier. Unlike traditional, sparsely ornamented types of wares made in China, these were characterized by the baroque exuberance of their enamels and decorative motifs—almost always variations on a phoenix and tree peony design. Settling along the major trade route that opened up between China and the Indian Ocean along the Malacca Strait, the so-called Straits Chinese brought much of their Chinese culture with them, yet also took on much of the local culture from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other peoples of Southeast.
Chinese porcelain is created in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries specifically for the unique community of Straits-born Chinese whose ancestors settled in Malacca four centuries earlier. Unlike traditional, sparsely ornamented types of wares made in China, these were characterized by the baroque exuberance of their enamels and decorative motifs—almost always variations on a phoenix and tree peony design. Settling along the major trade route that opened up between China and the Indian Ocean along the Malacca Strait, the so-called Straits Chinese brought much of their Chinese culture with them, yet also took on much of the local culture from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other peoples of Southeast.
Types of Straits Chinese porcelain:
Kamcheng nyonya ware
Labels: Nyonya Ware
Preserve Strait Chinese Culture!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The language of the Peranakans, Baba Malay (Bahasa Melayu Baba) , is a dialect of the Malay language (Bahasa Melayu), which contains many Hokkien words. It is a dying language and contemporary use is mainly limited to members of the older generation; this is indicative also of the Peranakan culture at large. However most Peranakans do speak English, Mandarin and their respective Chinese dialects in addition to Baba Malay.
The language spoken by the Peranakans is a mixture of Malay and Hokkien. Here is an example of a few words used by the Peranakans.
Peranakan food again shows the community at its most eclectic. Baba cuisine is a mixture of both Chinese and Malay influences. It is truly one of the most popular contributions of the community. Many popular dishes today are traditional Straits Chineses' food. 
Language
The language spoken by the Peranakans is a mixture of Malay and Hokkien. Here is an example of a few words used by the Peranakans.
- Me = goa (Hokkien)
- You = lu (Hokkien)
- He/She = dia (Malay)
- We = kita (Malay)
Food
No doubt that this is everybody's favorite part.
Peranakan food again shows the community at its most eclectic. Baba cuisine is a mixture of both Chinese and Malay influences. It is truly one of the most popular contributions of the community. Many popular dishes today are traditional Straits Chineses' food.
e.g.
Acar, a traditional Peranakan vegetable dish. It is made up of cucumbers, long beans, carrots, red chili, groundnuts and cabbage and is pickled with vinegar. It is a spicy and sour dish that not many people cook today.
Otak-otak is a popular blend of fish, coconut milk, galangal, and herbs wrapped in a banana leaf.
Asam Laksa is a spicy noodle soup which is very famous in Penang.
Labels: food
Preserve Strait Chinese Culture!!
Before
Before the wedding, Proposals of marriage were made by a gift of a "pinangan", a 2-tiered lacquered basket to the intended bride's parents brought by a go-between person who will speak on behalf of the suitor.
A traditional Peranakan wedding is an elaborate 12-day affair filled with rituals and ceremonies until the bride left her parents' house and moved in with her in-laws.
During
Their wedding ceremony is similar to the Chinese. It is a fact that Traditional Straits Chinese brides have to walk sideways.
Above: A bride walking sideways
Below: These are the Straits Chinese's traditional wedding costume
Festivals
The most important event in the Straits Chinese community is their wedding ceremony. The wedding ceremony of the Peranakan is largely based on Chinese tradition, and is one of the most colorful and fascinating wedding ceremonies in Malaysia and Singapore.Before
Before the wedding, Proposals of marriage were made by a gift of a "pinangan", a 2-tiered lacquered basket to the intended bride's parents brought by a go-between person who will speak on behalf of the suitor.
A traditional Peranakan wedding is an elaborate 12-day affair filled with rituals and ceremonies until the bride left her parents' house and moved in with her in-laws.
3 or 4 days before the wedding, a young child, preferably a boy, would roll three times across the wedding bed. The boy would come from a family who has many sons, to get his male energy.
a picture of their wedding bed
a picture of their wedding bedDuring
Their wedding ceremony is similar to the Chinese. It is a fact that Traditional Straits Chinese brides have to walk sideways.
Above: A bride walking sidewaysBelow: These are the Straits Chinese's traditional wedding costume
Preserve Strait Chinese Culture!!