First of all, I want to say that I have not collect alot of research from the Malacca trip last Tuesday, the weather is so hot and we do not know where to have a kick start besides the only place - Museum. So here starts my small research about Peranakan.
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum not allowed us to take photos so I do some recording. I feel great to visit this museum, there's things that I never see before and I can feel the environment and listen to their history. I curi-curi took some photos. hehe.
#The kitchen
Peranakan and Baba Nyonya in chinese (峇峇娘惹 / baba niang re) are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Nusantara region during the Colonial era. While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (土生華人; named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as
- Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty)
- Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan)
- Peranakans (Kristang = Christians)
- Cambodian Hokkien (descendents of Hoklo chinese)
And the things that I most interested in Baba Nyonya is their costumes/ clothing.
As what the women in museum told us from the older to the younger generations. Nyonya wears long kebaya and batik sarung with buckles. They do not have zip or button so they use buckle and brooch replace buttons. The next generation wear shorter kebaya for comfortable and the modren generation wear cheong sam, baba wear suits. Generation for now wear more casual like us.
The Peranakan retained most of their ethnic and religious origins (such as ancestor worship), but assimilated the language and culture of the Malays. The Nyonya’s clothing was identical to that of the native Malay’s: baju panjang (long dress), batik sarung (batik wrap-around skirt) and kerongsang (brooch). Beaded slippers called Kasut Manekwere a hand-made made with much skill and patience: strung, beaded and sewn onto canvas with tiny faceted glass beads from Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic). In modern times, glass beads from Japan are preferred. Traditional kasut manek design often have European floral subjects, with colors influenced by Peranakan porcelain and batik sarongs. They were made onto flats or bedroom slippers. But from the 1930s, modern shapes became popular and heels were added.
In Indonesia, the Peranakans develop their own Kebaya, most notably ‘kebaya encim’, and developed their own batik patterns, which incorporate symbols from China.
Nyonya Kebaya is a unique traditional ethnic clothes worn by the Straits Settlement Chinese ladies who are known as nyonyas. The Baba and Nyonya, even though originally are ethnic Chinese, adopt the way of dressing, some cultural practices and also local food in their daily lives.
The main difference of nyonya kebaya from other kebayas is that, the material used for the top is sheer. The material can be gauze cotton, voile or georgette. Since the top is made out of translucent material, it is necessary to wear an inner cotton camisole which is called "anak baju".
The top is embroidered with beautiful motifs with extra emphasize at the collar, the sleeves and the hem of the jacket. The motifs are usually hand-made. As with other craft, machine-made embroidery would not look as good as the hand-made ones.
Indeed, I visited a shop selling handmade nyonya kebaya and shoes. "J manik". I asked some questions to the owner :
Q: what is so special about nyonya kebaya ?
A: All handmade and they do small holes along the lines.
Q: Why all kebaya seems like have floral motifs ?
A: It represents the softness of women and create the lady like feel.
Q: How much for 1 pieces ?
A: The top cost RM350 and we will specially make it for you according to your body.
Q: Are you a nyonya ?
A: Yes, me and my sister.
Q: Is all these made in Malaysia ?
A: Yes, in Melaka.
Q: Do you made all these costumes and beaded shoes ?
A: Yes, we do make the shoes. We sew the manik. (she show me the thing that half done)
Q: Then where you learn all these skills ?
A: From my mama (means Grandmother)
She's so friendly but too bad cant take pictures :( These are some of the pictures from outside.
More to come. Would like to talk about their marriage also. =)
Good night.
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