Timothy Tye’s website on Penang provides useful information for the traveler, from sightseeing, transport and accommodation to a section on food, essentially choices on the range of hawker food available, with helpful tips as to location. With reference to local cuisine, he has a section entitled, “Ingredients of a nyonya kitchen”.
As his list is by no means comprehensive, perhaps those who consider themselves to be connoisseurs of nyonya cooking can add to his list, so that those wishing to whip up tasty dishes can draw on those more knowledgeable, willing to share.
At a recent workshop in Penang, which brought together researchers working on Penang and the region; the subject, Peranakan Chinese Networks, was explored. The underlying assumption is that as cultural hybrids, there are many types of Peranakan Chinese both historically and in contemporary times. This means that there is also an equally wide variety of political, economic, socio-cultural, linguistic and literary networks involving the community. Penang, in this case, anchors those networks and forms a basis for comparative studies. Historians, anthropologists, musicologists, literary theorists and cultural activists contributed papers to the workshop.
The following topics will be part of the monograph:
Hybrid Identities in the British Empire
Cosmopolitanism and Globalization in the Age of Empire
Penang as Commercial Centre: Trade and Shipping Networks
Rangoon, Penang and Singapore Linkages
The Phuket Baba in the Peranakan Network of Southeast Asia
The Revitalization of Peranakan Performing Arts.
Literature and Penang Straits Chinese Identities
Peranakan Material Culture in the Northern Littoral of Southeast Asia
Peranakan Associations in the 21st Century
A Resource Centre for Information and Documentation on Peranakan Chinese, SCPA
Despite the description above (in our introduction section), I’m still not sure of ‘how would one know if one is a Peranakan’? My grandmother is born in Penang. I remember a photo of her wearing a ‘puah t’ng teh’. And all my life, home-cooked food - especially during Chinese New Year - has always been Nyonya. So I always wonder if my roots is Nyonya?”
This is really a fair and understandable comment. My grandmother also practised all the customs associated with what we would consider as “nyonya culture”. There was even “asap kemenyan” on Thursdays (malam Jumaat, what the Malays considered holy night). Grandmother was also very particular about feast days and festivals. At the same time, she was also a committed Buddhist and proud of “King and Country” (the United Kingdom!) She was a committee member of the Women’s Institute and there is a photograph of her next to Lady Templar. But she loved her P. Ramlee movies and Teochew opera.
In short, what is a Peranakan? To my mind, it is the fascinating adaptability to different cultures. If we have a defining feature it is our culture of openness. We are products of “inter-cultural” interactions. Ours is the culture of the chameleon and not the peacock. So, now that the world is finally coming round to seeing the world through a multicultural lens, Peranakans have very little trouble adapting.
Does this make things clearer? Would love to know what others think.
History is being made in historic Melaka. This will be the first Baba Nyonya Convention and it will be held in Melaka, a world heritage site. We are all very proud that Melaka and George Town have both been declared historic cities of the Straits of Malacca, although that accolade should also be extended to Singapore.
Both cities won in the living heritage category, which means that not only is architectural integrity important but also the communities that built and lived in them. Hybrid communities like our Baba Nyonya have long had international recognition and now UNESCO has acknowledged the outstanding universal values embodied in the lifestyle of the Straits Chinese.
This year’s convention is a step in the right direction. For too long the contributions of the nyonyas have been played down. It was the initiative of the President of the Melaka Peranakan Association that we celebrate the nyonya officially.
The Baba Nyonya convention in Melaka will take place on 5th to 7th December 2008. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend this year’s convention being otherwise preoccupied with the Penang Cultural Fest (4-7 December). But I hope you will all support the Melaka convention by attending.
Member Gary Tan is looking for his family roots in Penang. Here is his message:
“Hi, I am trying to trace back my family tree. My late grandparents were Peranakans. All I know is they were both born in Penang. My grand father was a British subject while my grandmother had both British and Malaysian nationalities.I will be in Penang in November.Can anyone tell me if there are any records or resources in Penang that I can refer to in my search . Thanks.My email address is tsunami1891@hotmail.com and my contact number is 353 086 3545047.”
Gary, I am sure we would all love to help. Can you give us a bit more information? We have a few resident historians and many “kay-poh” members, who know everything about anyone in Penang. So, please send us some photographs and as much information as you can.
