Journal of the
Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

Vol. 82 Part 2

No 296 December 2009

Special Issue

Peranakan
Chinese in Penang & the Region:

Evolving
Identities & Networks

Guest Editors:

Dr Loh Wei Leng

Dr Neil Khor

In an earlier post, 2 January 2009, http://www.peranakannetworks.com/blog/?p=61)  it was announced that a publication on Peranakan Chinese Networks was in the works - yes, almost a year in the making. You may have noticed that the title on the cover above has included another subject area addressed by some of the authors, Peranakan Identities, which incidentally is the first topic raised on this website, “What is Peranakan?”

Our monograph will soon be available in the form of a Special Issue of the Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (JMBRAS). To those with an interest in Malaysian history, here is a site worth visiting to check out its wide range of publications, both books as well as articles in the issues of the journal, going back to 1878. Admittedly, as John Gullick explains, MBRAS is “a learned society devoted to the task of collecting, recording and diffusing information about Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei” (www.mbras.org.my). As such, its publications may be too specialized to appeal to the general public. Nonetheless, there may be some of you out there searching for more on particular topics, and would probably appreciate the books and articles which are usually the end-product of thorough research and analysis.

In addition to the ten topics mentioned, two more contributions have been added. A preview of five of the articles have already been posted, the summary of the rest will be provided soon.

This is an invitation to Peranakan enthusiasts to the conference, and more (cultural show, exhibition, and lunch thrown in), from Cedric Tan, Hon.Secretary.

In conjunction with the official launch of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (2008), PPBNKLS committee will be organising the Inaugural International Peranakan Conference on Saturday 31st October 2009 beginning from 9 am up to 6 pm in Auditorium Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur. This international conference features 5 illustrous speakers who will be presenting papers on various topics of interest related to the Baba Nyonya community (see topics in the attached flyer). The confirmed speakers are Prof. Dr Leo Suryadinata (Indonesia), Dr. Kenson Kwok (Singapore), Dr. Lee Kam Heng (Malaysia), En. Kamarul Baharin (Malaysia) and Mr. Peter Lee (Singapore). Dr Lee Su Kim (President of PPBNKLS) will deliver the keynote address. This event is made possible through the kind sponsorship from Ethnic Studies Institute (KITA), UKM and National Museum, Malaysian Museum Department, Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture, Malaysia.

The official launch of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (2008) will commence at about 4 pm that afternoon and followed by culture presentation showcasing the 12th Day Wedding Ceremony and songs. YB Datuk Seri Utama Rais Yatim has been invited to officiate the launch. Besides that, there will also be a bazaar and an exhibition featuring Peranakan goodies and artifacts respective during this event.

Attached is the flyer for the above mentioned event. Please publicise this information to all your relatives and friends and do encourage them to attend this event. To be a participant, please print and fill your personal particulars; one form per participant, and then post the form plus payment (if any) to us at the following address:
The Secretariat,
Inaugural International Peranakan Conference,
Institute Kajian Etnik (KITA),
Aras 4, Bangunan Pentadbiran, Kolej Keris Mas,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.

The fee to attend these events is very reasonable as it covers the conference, official launch, lunch, 2 refreshments, conference kit and cultural show. Please make all cheques payable to PERSATUAN PERANAKAN BABA NYONYA KUALA LUMPUR & SELANGOR (2008). Please see list below:
Adults - RM30/person
Students/Undergraduates - RM10/person
PPBNKLS members - Free of charge.

Do contact me if you have any questions pertaining to the above event. We look forward to seeing your active participation and support in this event. Please post your form to before 15th October 2009. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Cedric Tan
Hon.Secretary
Inaugural International Peranakan Conference and Official Launch Organising Committee

(”Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association Kuala Lumpur” <peranakan_kl@yahoo.com.my>)

Check out another aspect of Peranakan culture.

Please note, it is palate, referring to a sense of taste, but not necessarily of food.. Malaysians much oriented towards Peranakan cuisine, known more commonly as nyonya food after the female as the cook at home, may be less exposed to art works a la Peranakan. So here is an invitation to an art exhibition.

 The Peranakan Palate - Feasting on Beauty: Exhibition of Art Works by Kuen Stephanie
1 August to 12 September 2009

Abstract figurative artist Kuen Stephanie kicks off the month of August 2009 with another solo exhibition featuring a new collection of the Peranakan series at Badan Warisan Malaysia.

Exhibition Hours

Mondays to Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Exhibition Tour by Artist

11.30 a.m.

Saturday 8 August 2009, 22 August 2009 and 5 September 2009

In conjunction with the exhibition, Kuen Stephanie will be presenting a gallery walk of her exhibition and speak to visitors about her art.

For more details, go to the following websites:

www.badanwarisan.org.my

www.kuenstephanie.com

From: Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association Kuala Lumpur <peranakan_kl@yahoo.com.my>

Dear members and friends,

Please be informed that in conjunction with Malaysia Wedding Fair, The Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia is organising a multi community wedding exhibition and performances from Monday 6th July 2009 to Sunday 12th July, 2009 in the Malaysia Craft Center, Jalan Conlay, KL.

The Peranakan community has been given a booth to showcase various wedding materials and also a slot for the mock wedding.  Exhibition is open from 10 am to 8 pm daily.

The Peranakan mock wedding show will be held on Friday, 10th July, 2009 starting from 3 pm to 6 pm featuring merisek, lapchai, cheo thau, sohjah tiga hari and tea ceremony.  There will be songs and joget session as well.

Please inform your family members and friends and come and join us to ‘lau jiat’ this event.  Do dress to the occasion by donning your sarong kebayas and bateks too.

The Peranakan wedding is helmed by Baba Nyonya Culture Promotions.

Yours sincerely,
Cedric Tan
Asst. Hon. Secretary

To those thinking of this option for themselves, but unable to make their way to KL, you can send your inquiries to Cedric Tan.

Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association Kuala Lumpur <peranakan_kl@yahoo.com.my>

In an earlier announcement (2nd January 2009 http://www.peranakannetworks.com/blog/?p=61) that there will be a forthcoming monograph on Peranakan Chinese Networks, ten topics were mentioned. A few more have been added since, one of which is an important subject which not only requires documenting but which will shed light on a topic, certain to be of interest to us in this region, namely, “The Chiangchews, the true pioneers in the Nanyang”.

We have been very fortunate to get Russell Jones (SOAS, University of London) to join our project. Jones has done work on two languages, Malay and Chinese (among his publications are Chinese names and Chinese loan-words in Malay and Indonesian), which influenced him to investigate a sub-dialect of the Hokkiens, that of the Chiangchews. His chapter will tell us more about the Hokkiens who came to Penang and the neighbouring region. A distinguishing feature of the Chiangchews is the Hokkien sub-dialect spoken, also known as the Penang Hokkien, which appears to be the version also in use in Phuket and Medan.

For those not familiar with the Chiangchews, they were the sub-group of Hokkiens from Zhangzhou (previous Wade-Giles usage, Chang-chou), not Quanzhou (Ch’uan-chou), the port made more well-known on account of Marco Polo’s visit there around 1291 as well as, of course, other writing which highlight the presence of the more than 100,000 Arab traders at that time, with the oldest mosque, said to date from the 11^th century. These two commercial cities of South Fujian Province had to contend with the rise of Amoy (better known as Xiamen subsequently) by the mid-17^th century, which went on to eclipse Zhangzhou.

Map Source: MSN World Atlas

For more on the Penang Hokkien dialect, see two recent publications, the first a Hokkien dictionary, the second, an aid to learn the language.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/6/17/north/4116326&sec=north

(Wednesday June 17, 2009 ‘Ang mor gao’ authors Hokkien dictionary)

http://www.librarything.com/work/8056755

Learn To Speak… Penang Hokkien Dialect, by Tan Choon Hoe

http://chinahistoryforum.com/lofiversion/index.php/t26459.html

(a discussion on current usage of the sub-dialect)

Khoo Salma responded:

Both books, Penang Hokkien Dictionary and Penang Hokkien Dialect, are distributed by Areca Books, and should be available at MPH and Popular book stores.

In fact, Tan Choon Hoe has two other books Loghat Hokkien Pulau Pinang and Penang Hokkien Dialect for Tourists & Penangites.

Please see our website www.arecabooks.com