The Babas are descendants of an early Chinese community that settled in the Malay archipelago at least since the 17th century. Many members of the early community were seafarers who traded between the ports of southern China and those of Southeast Asia. The oldest Chinese communities can be found in Malacca. As Chinese women were by law not allowed to leave their native country until the middle of the 19th century, many of these early traders married non-Muslim natives of the Malay archipelago, such as Balinese or Batak slaves.
In the 18th and 19th centuries the Babas were involved in opium, sireh, nutmeg and liquor farming, pepper and gambier cultivation, tin mining, commodity trading and property. In the early 20th century, many Babas invested in rubber.
They also worked as compradores (Chinese middlemen) for big Western companies and banks. As a Chinese community that always considered Malaya home, many Peranakans were involved in civic projects and local government, and numbered among the key players in Malaysia and Singapore’s road to independence. Many Nyonyas also led the way in female emancipation.
In the 21st century, the Babas face the same dilemmas and problems as other Chinese communities in Singapore and Malaysia–the decline of traditions, the inability to speak the dialect, the growing number of mixed marriages. All these factors lead to the great changes in the culture and uncertainty about the future. However the growth in Baba cultural activities as well as in memberships of Baba organisations indicate a growing awareness of the community’s heritage and the importance of seeing it into the future.
At the turn of the last century, the issue of illegal gambling among Nyonyas was one of the most sensational and scandalous topics discussed among angst-ridden members of the Peranakan community. PETER LEE compiles some of these outspoken voices from the past.
More than a simple case of Auntie and Uncle? Can’t tell your Ku from your Koh? Your Chim from your Chek? Fear not, help is here!
We’ve all been there before: it is Chinese New Year or some big family gathering and mum tells your to teriak or “call” your seemingly endless hordes of relatives. Of course your brain freezes and so you parrot her instructions to ‘panggeh Sah Ee’ (or See Toh, or Chim Poh) without really knowing how you are actually related.
The bridegroom’s party bearing gifts would leave for the bride’s home in procession accompanied by a serunee band and the Master of Ceremonies. At the head of the procession were two lanterns bearing the bridegroom’s surname. These lanterns were carried on long poles painted red. Behind these lanterns, two bearers stretched a red silk bunting between them on two bamboo stems with leaves at the top
The association has taken yet another step to break away from our mould to scale new heights, and the kind of spirit we have in our midst is pulling us together to accomplish that mission. No comfort zone for us. Anthony Oei gives us an overview of the situation.
When encountering someone, have the ability to address the person, whether relative, friend or acquaintances, in a correct manner. Nowadays, people tend to be too casual (“uncle” or “auntie”) about the right form of addressing one’s elders or contemporaries. Terms like baba, bibik, nya, adek, tachi, hia or ungkoo denotes the relationship or deference between two individuals. Then there is the balek mulut or return greeting in the accepted form.
“So you are a Baba,” my Chinese-Chinese friends would say (somewhat disdainfully) when they discover that I don’t know the lingo. Some would even label me “half-past-six Chinese” or “Chinese celup” and laugh loudly. Good thing for them that I can laugh with them. Yes, I am a Baba although that is not the reason why I don’t speak Chinese because most Peranakans I know do. The reason is my ethnic origin and the un-Chinese environment in which I grew up. Let me give you the tedious details…
Heritage is valued in a community for its cultural content whether all the inherited practices and rituals represented by it are being continued or otherwise. This is because the inherited values always remain with the community. If you visit the Images of Singapore show at Sentosa, as the brochure you pick up quite truthfully claims, ‘life-sized figures come alive, and rare artifacts and state-of-the-art technology bring you realistic sights, sounds and smells.’ Among the treats offered to you is a full-scale Peranakan wedding ceremony! In the course of the realistic enactment of the traditions and celebrations ‘you can be part of’, the Images show offers you a real kaleidoscope of Tamil, Malay, Chinese and Peranakan practices. The Asian Civilisations Museum at Armenian Street has a permanent exhibition called Peranakan Legacy.
Heather Ong On the afternoon of July 17, a group of members embarked on a nostalgic trip to rediscover traditional Peranakan Games. The wonderful aroma of laksa, mee siam, bubor cha-cha & Nonya kueh greeted us as we arrived at Chilli Padi – the Nonya Family Restaurant. There was a good mix of members, young [...]