How lazy I was to hold this topic until a month after my visit to Malaysia! Writing journal is never a easy job, especially when writing about something you don't really know about and in your second language.
Baba Nyonya (峇峇娘惹 in Chinese) refers to the descendants of the Chinese who immigrated to Malaysia during 15th and 16th. It was used as a term to separate the Chinese arrived in Malaysia after that time. Before 1960s, Baba Nyonya were considered as Bumiputra (literally means 'sons of earth', referring to native Malaysian people, predominately Malay ethnic), and enjoyed all the privileges as in the law. However the violence between Chinese and Malay in May 13 Incident (1969) and promoted the implementation of a group of policies in favour to created more opportunities of Bumiputera, and therefore reduce the economical power of Chinese Malaysians. The definition of Bumiputera then narrowed to Malay people and several other indigenous Malaysian ethnic groups.
The term of Baba-Nyonya originally means Grandpa and Grandma, while Baba refers to the male and Nyonya female. This race is considered as upper class in Malaysian society. They could speak English, Malay and Chinese so that they could establish business relations with each of the groups. Their loyalty to British Crown during colonial time and their social connections accumulated a huge amount of fortune for them.
Baba-Nyonya was famous for their astonishing architecture, costumes and customs. Their lifestyle was influenced by both Chinese and Malaysian cultures, and, on degree, Western cultures. They lives were extravagant in whichever way. It is said that they must have 12 dishes in every dinner. Considering their sizes of family, I am little convinced. The traditional clothing for Nyonya is Kebaya, a traditional Indonesian clothing. It now can be found on the Air Attendants from Singapore Airline.
Now Baba Nyonya has lost its status as the policy is no longer in favour for them. Many of them has immigrated to Singapore, North American, Australia and New Zealand. Some of their mansions are kept well as a place for ancestor memorial or a meseum. They are a nice place to visit and to take photographs. Especially wedding photographs.
A Combination of different cultures
great post :) love it
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