It started when 500 men accompany Princess Hang Li Po to Melaka(Melacca) to marry the Sultan of Malaka. (circa 1400) They continues to stay at Malaya and married with the local Ladies and the heirs is call the peranakan (娘惹）The man is called Baba and the women is called Nyonya (or Bibik for married woman)
The peranakan have chinese name, speaks a malay dialect at home and pray the chinese style. The traditional wear of peranakan is Baju Kebaya which is also the uniform for our national carrier (MAS) air stewardess.
The peranakan food is a famous among all Malaysian as it's a fusion between Chinese and Malay style but non-halal. as some of the dishes is cooked with pork.
Few peranakan museum can be found in Malaysia and Singapore. I went to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, a symbolic lifestyle of a rich Baba about a century ago. Antiques and collectible of the era can be found here too. This is also a popular venue for wedding photoshoot and local movie set.
The mansion was built by Chung Kwee Kee (Kapitan or Chinese Captain) around 19th Century, who gain his fame and wealth through tin and mining business. He is also a leader for the Hai San secret society.
The Game Room~
The late owner portrait is hanging on the game room wall...
The Dining Hall. (also known as tok panjang)
The guest hall where all the furniture and decoration shipped all the way from Europe.
The reason of the ruins of the Qing Dynasty - Opium
This family even have a certificate for it. (just like a gun certificate)
The Hall on Second floor
Second floor is very spacious and all the antique is kept in the cabinet (very well arranged)
The thing on the left is said to be a very old camera.
The Bridal Room.
There was myth about the peranakan wedding. On the first wedding night, place a pair of chicken (male and female each) in the basket and the first to jump out of the basket will the the gender of the newly wed first child.
The Music Box.... which play only one song~
How about some gold comb
Just Chilling~
Couple chair. Looks interesting
View from second floor
Tea Table?? next to the kitchen.
The kitchen is said to be the woman place. The Nyonyas probably spend half of their day preparing and cooking in the kitchen. All nyonya is an excellent chef because the first criteria for being classify as a nyonya and be prepared to get marry is her cooking skills.
Pinang Peranakan Mansian
29, Church Street
10200 GeorgeTown
Penang, Malaysia
Opening Hours : 9.30am - 5pm (Everyday including public holiday)
Admission Fee : RM20 (children below 6 is F.O.C)
Tel : +604 - 264 2929
