Who are the Peranakans?

When I arrived in Singapore one of the things that impressed me the most was the architecture. Walking through Marina Bay I had the feeling that I had been transported into the future. The ultra-modern skyscrapers and the lights at night are a real spectacle! I remember walking with my head tilted and barely breathing impressed with such beauty.

However, getting to know this island-state-country more and more, I came across another architecture, equally impressive. Yes, some colorful houses, whose façade is full of details. As soon as I came across this unique style, I asked my friend what these little houses were and it was the first time I heard about these Peranakans...

Who are the Peranakans?

The history of Southeast Asia is marked by trade. For a long time, this region of the world was a meeting point for all the goods from the East. Due to the existence of exotic local spices and strategic locations, countries such as Singapore and Malaysia quickly became the destination of traders from China and India. There, they exchanged silk, tea, and other products for cinnamon, garlic, tamarind, ginger, lemon, pepper, clove and others.

The merchants, however, did not just bring products and went on their journey. Little by little the children and the marriages with the local women began to appear, giving rise to a new ethnicity. Peranakan means "son of" or "born of" and was the term used to designate this new generation that was born a mixture of cultures. Today there are different types of Peranakans, such as Jawi Peranakans who are descendants of Muslim Indians. There are also Chitty Melaka who are descendants of Hindus. And finally, the Peranakans are known as Baba Nyonyas who are descendants of the Chinese.

Although all Peranakans have their own ethnic traits and characteristics, the Baba Nyonyas, who are descended from the Chinese, is the best known. The food, architecture, customs, language, and beauty of these people are present in many places in Singapore and also in Malaysia, including the architectural features that make up the colorful, tiny houses that enchanted me.

The Peranakan Museum in Singapore

Located near Fort Canning, an incredible park that also deserves a visit, the Singapore Peranakan Museum is definitely a place to go. With several interactive installations, the Museum is complete and features clothing, pottery, furniture and unique pieces that are used to explain the customs and traditions of the Peranakans.

The part I liked the most was the room reserved to explain the wedding. In it, it is possible to see not only the clothes of the bride and groom but also the place where the weddings were celebrated, the gifts exchanged by the families and the description of the party that usually lasts seven days!

I also found the symbols of culture interesting, which are present in the clothes and objects. Symbols such as phoenix, the immortal bird dragon, can be found in tunics and cups with the colors pink, yellow, green, water and purple. Shoes embroidered with microscopic beads that turn into unique designs are also impressive. Worth a visit!

The building where the Museum is located is also part of the Peranakan architecture and is very beautiful. I particularly loved the tribute they paid to a cat who lived in the museum for years and ended up becoming the local mascot.

The Peranakan culture impressed me with its beauty, the richness of details, colors and flavors. Singapore was just an "appetizer" of what I later found in Malaysia, causing me to immerse myself once and for all in the Peranakan universe. But this is a subject for another post...

Practical info:

Peranakan Museum Singapore
39 Armenian Street, Singapore 17994
Opening hours: 10 am - 7 pm
Entry: $11,00 Singaporean dollars
https://www.peranakanmuseum.org.sg/