PERANAKAN CULTURE IN MELAKA

5th. September 2008

Do you know that the Peranakan ( Baba and Nyonya ) heritage and culture began in Melaka?

The culture of the Peranakans is a community which began when Chinese traders in the 17th century moved to Malacca. They settled down in Malacca and adopted local customs and traditions.

The community of Peranakans subsequently moved on to Penang in the late 18th century and to Singapore in the early 1900s. Though Melaka has a vibrant Peranakan heritage and has a private museum to highlight the Peranakan heritage, Singapore has opened two impressive museums that feature the Peranakan heritage.

In April, the Asian Civilisations Museum steered the opening of the $12-million Peranakan Museum in Armenian Street and today, the National University of Singapore opens its $4-million Baba House in Neil Road. Both the museum and the house are stocked with artefacts, both tell the story of the Peranakans.

It is about time that the Baba and Nyonyas of Melaka pool their resources to preserve the uniqueness of the Peranakan culture.

It has been reported that the Melaka Peranakans will be hosting the "21st. Baba Convention" from 5th. to 7th. December 2008.

Peranakans from all over the world will converge into Melaka for this convention. It is expected Peranakans from Penang, Singapore, Phuket and overseas will meet up in Melaka for this historic event.

May we wish the organisers well for organising this event and wish them all the success in hosting this convention. As Melaka is now a World Heritage City, we need to preserve our unique cultures such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan, Chitty, Portuguese and Dutch alive for generations to come.

Kamsiah.