Comments on: Peranakan Culture http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture provoking thought Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:46:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Sec1 Gal :) http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-7180 Sec1 Gal :) Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:18:37 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-7180 Hi. I'm secondary 1 and I had to go to the peranakan museum to do my project with my group. Yes, I was new to it too (and im not a peranakan, though) but i think everyone shud go take a look, especially students. students can enter the musuem free with their student passes. awesome :) Also, it is really neat and full of artefacts u van take PHOTOS of unlike some other places. it is really enriching. everyone should try! try to salvage the peranakan culture! kudos to u for creating this post to spread awareness about peranakans! :))) Hi. I’m secondary 1 and I had to go to the peranakan museum to do my project with my group. Yes, I was new to it too (and im not a peranakan, though) but i think everyone shud go take a look, especially students. students can enter the musuem free with their student passes. awesome :) Also, it is really neat and full of artefacts u van take PHOTOS of unlike some other places. it is really enriching. everyone should try! try to salvage the peranakan culture! kudos to u for creating this post to spread awareness about peranakans! :) ))

]]> By: Serene http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1984 Serene Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:58:39 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1984 Well 'Peranankan' is not a race, rather it is a culture (despite the race). It simply means straits-born Chinese who had adapted the Malay way of life. I've been questioning the possible root of this rich culture. But as much as the tale of the becoming of the nonyas and babas (a Chinese princess married a local Malay prince in the 15th c. ) is beautiful and romantic, it remains uncertain. Historical facts simply does not add up, such as the law of indigenous marriage from the 15th c. onwards, and the social acceptance of inter-marriages during those times. There was no form of caste system in China compared to India but there was and still is a certain division between classes, which happen in all societies around the world. It is, however, possible for a Chinese princess to be married into a palace of different language and religion (and vice-visa), in the name of better relations between countries to establish and secure trades and alliances. But in the Islamic law, the partner would have to convert to Islam and adopt a Muslim name. Thus, it does not explain why Chinese peranankans today retain Chinese names, and babi ponteh's one of the nonyas' favourite dishes. Chances are the history of this culture came about when chinese merchants resides in Southeast Asia with their families way before the influx of immigrants (mainly labourers) from China and India, and eventually adapted a local lifestyle to suit the environmental and social changes. Same goes for the Chitty. Well ‘Peranankan’ is not a race, rather it is a culture (despite the race). It simply means straits-born Chinese who had adapted the Malay way of life.

I’ve been questioning the possible root of this rich culture. But as much as the tale of the becoming of the nonyas and babas (a Chinese princess married a local Malay prince in the 15th c. ) is beautiful and romantic, it remains uncertain. Historical facts simply does not add up, such as the law of indigenous marriage from the 15th c. onwards, and the social acceptance of inter-marriages during those times.

There was no form of caste system in China compared to India but there was and still is a certain division between classes, which happen in all societies around the world. It is, however, possible for a Chinese princess to be married into a palace of different language and religion (and vice-visa), in the name of better relations between countries to establish and secure trades and alliances. But in the Islamic law, the partner would have to convert to Islam and adopt a Muslim name. Thus, it does not explain why Chinese peranankans today retain Chinese names, and babi ponteh’s one of the nonyas’ favourite dishes.

Chances are the history of this culture came about when chinese merchants resides in Southeast Asia with their families way before the influx of immigrants (mainly labourers) from China and India, and eventually adapted a local lifestyle to suit the environmental and social changes. Same goes for the Chitty.

]]> By: Disconnected, Distracted and Directions — nanyate http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1983 Disconnected, Distracted and Directions — nanyate Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:19:16 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1983 [...] last few months I realized that it’s not that personal after all. Whether it’s about culture, gadgets or life lessons, I write with one guiding principle: what can my readers get out of this. [...] [...] last few months I realized that it’s not that personal after all. Whether it’s about culture, gadgets or life lessons, I write with one guiding principle: what can my readers get out of this. [...]

]]> By: Tia http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1982 Tia Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:09:57 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1982 Oh I was given to understand Peranakan meant mostly Chinese Indonesians who adopted Dutch culture to the point of "being more Dutch than the Dutch themselves", meaning Paranakan did not necessarily mean mixed with native Indonesians? Because was it not known that the Chinese were encourage NOT to mix due to the caste system? First owing to colonialism, then later because of discrimination by the natives resulting in further alienation with different Chinese groups, one of them being the Peranakans? Or am I totally wrong? Hoping to learn something new always. : ) Oh I was given to understand Peranakan meant mostly Chinese Indonesians who adopted Dutch culture to the point of “being more Dutch than the Dutch themselves”, meaning Paranakan did not necessarily mean mixed with native Indonesians?
Because was it not known that the Chinese were encourage NOT to mix due to the caste system? First owing to colonialism, then later because of discrimination by the natives resulting in further alienation with different Chinese groups, one of them being the Peranakans? Or am I totally wrong? Hoping to learn something new always. : )

]]> By: Thao http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1981 Thao Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:42:21 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1981 Very cool interesting post! Thank you for sharing your culture. Very cool interesting post! Thank you for sharing your culture.

]]> By: Kenneth http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1980 Kenneth Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:03:38 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1980 Didn't know that was Peranakan. Or maybe there are different definitions of Peranakan. I assumed it was something like Indonesian from Chinese descendants. At least that what I hear over here (Netherlands). Didn’t know that was Peranakan. Or maybe there are different definitions of Peranakan. I assumed it was something like Indonesian from Chinese descendants. At least that what I hear over here (Netherlands).

]]> By: Joelyn Alexandra http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1979 Joelyn Alexandra Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:28:25 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1979 Hey!! I see the "Facebook" remark! Haha. I was telling my grandma that one of us was talking about learning to do beading. She was like, "you'll go blind!" ~ Jo Hey!! I see the “Facebook” remark! Haha. I was telling my grandma that one of us was talking about learning to do beading. She was like, “you’ll go blind!” ~ Jo

]]> By: Joelyn’s Museum Escapades: Aiyoh Ku Semangat! « Joelyn Alexandra http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1978 Joelyn’s Museum Escapades: Aiyoh Ku Semangat! « Joelyn Alexandra Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:35:57 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1978 [...] was given the opportunity together with a few other bloggers (Click here to read Ivy’s take on the trip!) to tour the Peranakan Museum by the happy people from The [...] [...] was given the opportunity together with a few other bloggers (Click here to read Ivy’s take on the trip!) to tour the Peranakan Museum by the happy people from The [...]

]]> By: Ivy http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1977 Ivy Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:08:49 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1977 @<a href="#comment-4281" rel="nofollow">Michelle</a>: Am I on your "must visit" list too? :) We must catch up man! :) @Michelle: Am I on your “must visit” list too? :) We must catch up man! :)

]]> By: Michelle http://nanyate.com/culture/peranakan-culture#comment-1976 Michelle Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:05:31 +0000 http://nanyate.com/?p=1583#comment-1976 @<a href="#comment-4224" rel="nofollow">Ivy</a>: It has actually been years since I've been to Singapore. Dunno when I'll actually visit SG though :( But if I do, this museum is definitely on my "must visit" list :) @Ivy: It has actually been years since I’ve been to Singapore. Dunno when I’ll actually visit SG though :( But if I do, this museum is definitely on my “must visit” list :)

]]>