The Peranakan of Singapore

Peranakan is a term used to describe the descendants of the 15th through to 17th-century Chinese and European immigrants who settled in the Indonesian archipelago and what was then called British Malaya, and now is known as Malaysia and Singapore.

I only become aware of this phenomenon when I moved to Singapore in the autumn of last year. The traders and middlemen that came to these shores often inter-married with the local population, and took up the native customs, but still kept references to their own ancestry and culture. The Peranakan retained most of their ethnic and religious origins but assimilated the language and culture of their adoptive country.

That created a heady mix of artefacts, rituals and traditions, including ancestor worshiper - I encountered this `street scene` one morning, on my way to work.

They almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages, and created a rich culture that can be admired to this day.

 

The Peranakan women are called Nonya. Nonya clothing – long jacket with a sarong (wrap-around skirt) is used occasionally as formal attire. Beadwork and embroidery are a vital part of Peranakan material culture. Young Nonyas started learning needlecraft and cooking in preparation for marriage.

Fanciful furniture, silverware and brightly coloured porcelain were often commissioned by wealthy Peranakan households to showcase their status within the society.

This is a typical set of enamelled porcelain that was found in many Peranakan homes. These three Chinese deities represent happiness, prosperity and longevity.

I took the above photos in the Peranakan Museum in Singapore. Hosted in the former Tao Nan Chinese School, the museum`s galleries tell an interesting story of the living culture of the Peranakan community in the region. A `must see` if you want to be educated and entertained at the same time.