Basically, Baba Nyonya ethnic are
very popular in the world especially in Melaka, Malaysia. In terms of origins,
Baba Nyonya can be traced back to centuries ago when the Chinese emigrated from
China to the British Straits Settlement of Melaka, Singapore, Penang and also
Java of Indonesia. Besides that, when the Chinese emigrated to the our country
especially in Melaka, automatically they which is Chinese then married the
local females and their distinct background, cultures and customs blended
together harmoniously and became Baba Nyonya in “Peranakan” culture. Usually, most
children Baba Nyonya raised by the way of life and rituals of the Chinese
altered by the elements of Malay and other local. The most important things,
“Peranakan” means descendent in Malay. It is another local term for them.
“Baba” refers to the male while “nyonya” is female. Besides, they are also
being known as “Straits-born Chinese”. This is a very unique culture in Melaka
where the Chinese culture is assimilated into Malay customs. During the early
time, they retained some practices of Chinese cultures but at the same time
adapted local Malay traditions in order to minimize the culture shock.
Furthermore, in terms of Malay
culture, usually they have several similarities with that culture especially in
terms of dress, food, language and others. Sometimes, Baba Nyonya culture can
make the local people in Malaysia more comfortable, tolerance and has a good
cooperation between each other. In fact, most of them are not Muslim and they
have their own religious when they came to the Melaka, Malaysia. Sometimes, Nyonya
always wearing the traditional dress but they still retained some Chinese
customs especially in festival celebrations, marriage, names and ancestral
worship. Moreover, in terms of foods, usually Baba Nyonya emphasizes the tastes
which is adapt both cultures in cooking that made up of pungent and spices from
Malay and Chinese style in food preparing. The most important things is when
we might probably find some cuisines
similar to Malay food buat contain pork . In terms of traditions, Baba Nyonya
also practices various of traditions that have a combination of Malay culture.
Besides that, Baba Nyonya always
using a various of language. Sometimes, they using different of dialect between
each other. Thus, local people might be surprised by the way they speak in a
mixture of Malay language, Hokkien dialect and others. Then, their language is
a blend of Chinese, Malay and Eurasian culture because European like Dutch was
influential when they dominated Melaka last time and it can show us that unique
culture can create another culture that can give harmonious environment between
each other.
