Puzzling Peranakans

There are many different definitions of Peranakan depending on the vantage point of the individual, from that of an anthropologist to the historian, linguist or literary specialist, not to mention variants according to time and place.

Penang Nyonyas dressed in Malay world fashion performing during Chap Goh Meh (Photograph courtesy of Star Publications)

The “Anak” in Peranakan

Beginning with the root word “anak” from the Malay language, Peranakan has the meaning a local-born person. Tan Chee Beng, a scholar, who has studied the Chinese Peranakan in different states of Malaysia, such as Melaka and Kelantan, refers to this group of Peranakan as “the Malay-speaking Chinese in Southeast Asia” whose language of choice is a creole Malay, that is, “no longer Chinese”.

Language and Identity

Today, most of the younger generation of Chinese in Malaysia and Indonesia, having gone through schooling in the national language, are fluent in Malay, although the language they use with family and close friends may still be a Chinese dialect. Thus, language alone may be insufficient to determine who is a “Peranakan”. In fact, other facets of material culture, notably food and clothing, come to mind when one uses the term “Peranakan”.

Peranakan-style tiles, a showcase of the community’s hybrid culture

Jawi Peranakans and Arab Peranakans

Additionally, “Peranakan” as an adjective, has also been used to refer to other groups such as the “Jawi Peranakan”, who were local-born Muslims from mixed marriages between mainly Indian immigrants to Malay women in 19^th century Straits Settlements. This should not be confused with Jawi Peranakan, the name chosen for the first Malay-language newspaper of the region, published in Singapore in 1876.

The term Arab Peranakan is applied to children of Arab-Malay parentage. In Penang, both the Jawi Peranakans and the Arab Peranakans, together with ethnic Malays living mostly in George Town, are also known as Jawi Pekan or urban Malays.

Baba Nyonya

Worthy of note are other designations which have been used interchangeably with the Chinese Peranakans of the Straits Settlements, Indonesia and south-west Thailand, namely Baba and Nyonya. Yet another label by which the Chinese Peranakans of the Straits Settlements are known is Straits Chinese.

Straits Chinese

Straits Chinese, which originated from the place specific and older term “Straits-born Chinese”, became a self-referencing term some time in the late 19th century. It was made popular by the English-educated Straits-born Chinese. The Straits Chinese British Association and its branches in Malacca and Penang became rallying centres for this “better class of Chinese”. Most of them were of Peranakan Chinese ancestry but the category soon embraced different types of Straits-born Chinese from different dialect groups, classes and occupations. Some anthropologists consider Straits Chinese as a situational identity, its adherents changing their affiliation according to need, time and place.

A photo of Cheah Tat Jin in Western suit with his carriage in the background

Chitty Peranakans

Another cultural variation, the Chitty Peranakan, speak Tamil with Malay influence, and dress in typical Malay fashion. They still form a community in Malacca although many have migrated to Singapore. They had their heyday during Portuguese rule (1511-1641), and occupied many houses along Hareen Street.

Comments are invited towards a more comprehensive coverage on this topic.

Useful Links:

* Abstract of article by Tan Chee Beng, Chinese Identities in Malaysia, Asian Journal of Social Science, Volume 25, Number 2, 1997 , pp. 103-116

(http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/saj/1997/00000025/00000002/art00007)

* Two articles on Jawi Peranakan by Naidu Ratnala Thulaja

http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_356_2005-01-13.html and

http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_106_2005-02-02.html

Food and Cultural Identity

Peranakans are very particular and protective over their cooking traditions. They are not resistant to change, in fact they invented fusion food. What many Peranakans are concerned about is authenticity and that people do not get ripped-off by so-called “Peranakan” or “Nyonya” restaurants.

The Penang State Chinese Association, together with other associated Peranakan associations, is proposing that these restaurants be rated. Of course, we acknowledge that there is a wide range of cooking styles but we thought members might be better informed not merely about where these restaurants are located but also whether standards are maintained!

Let us know what you think or drop us a line describing your nyonya restaurant experience.