The Baba Nyonya, which also known as Cina Peranakan is one of the unique community found in Melaka. This community had existed before the 15th century due to intermarriages between the Chinese traders and local Malays. The intermarriages increased after marriage of Sultan Mansur Syah with Princess Hang Li Poh from China.
Written records from the 19th and early 20th centuries show that Peranakan men usually took bride from within the local Peranakan community. Peranakan families occasionally imported brides from China and sent their daughters to China to find husbands.
Most Baba and Nyonya are not Muslim, and have followed the traditions of the Chinese, although some have been converted to Christian.
In the past, the Baba and Nyaonya mainly resides along Heeren Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) & Jonker Street in the heart of Melaka city. Their existence could be seen clearly based on their unique house architecture, costume (Kebaya Nyonya & Kasut manek-manek), cooking and language (Bahasa Peranakan).
A traditional Baba and Nyonya’s wedding is complex as there are many rites preparations and ceremonies which lasts up to 12 days. Therefore, now, most of the younger generation prefers to skip some of the ceremonies.
Similar like their Chinese counterpart, the Baba and Nyonya put a great emphasis on choosing lucky dates and times which believe will bring good luck for them or their family. However, their taboos are much more and strictly than the Chinese.
The wedding ceremony of the Baba and Nyonya is mostly based on Chinese tradition, and is one of the most colourful wedding ceremonies in Malaysia. At weddings, the Dondang Sayang, a form of extempore rhyming song in Malay which sung and danced by guests at the wedding party, was a highlight. Someone would begin a romantic theme which was carried on by others, each taking the floor in turn, dancing in slow gyrations as they sang. It required quick wit and repartee and often gave rise to laughter and applause when a particularly clever phrase was sung. The melodic accents of the Baba and Nyonya lend to the charm of this performance.
Written records from the 19th and early 20th centuries show that Peranakan men usually took bride from within the local Peranakan community. Peranakan families occasionally imported brides from China and sent their daughters to China to find husbands.
Most Baba and Nyonya are not Muslim, and have followed the traditions of the Chinese, although some have been converted to Christian.
In the past, the Baba and Nyaonya mainly resides along Heeren Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) & Jonker Street in the heart of Melaka city. Their existence could be seen clearly based on their unique house architecture, costume (Kebaya Nyonya & Kasut manek-manek), cooking and language (Bahasa Peranakan).
A traditional Baba and Nyonya’s wedding is complex as there are many rites preparations and ceremonies which lasts up to 12 days. Therefore, now, most of the younger generation prefers to skip some of the ceremonies.
Similar like their Chinese counterpart, the Baba and Nyonya put a great emphasis on choosing lucky dates and times which believe will bring good luck for them or their family. However, their taboos are much more and strictly than the Chinese.
The wedding ceremony of the Baba and Nyonya is mostly based on Chinese tradition, and is one of the most colourful wedding ceremonies in Malaysia. At weddings, the Dondang Sayang, a form of extempore rhyming song in Malay which sung and danced by guests at the wedding party, was a highlight. Someone would begin a romantic theme which was carried on by others, each taking the floor in turn, dancing in slow gyrations as they sang. It required quick wit and repartee and often gave rise to laughter and applause when a particularly clever phrase was sung. The melodic accents of the Baba and Nyonya lend to the charm of this performance.
1 comment:
Yen Fun,
Could you please tell your blog friends to state their references at the bottom of their articles. No references, less marks. Which one is Mathilda's contibution? TQ.
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