Peranakan Culture Essay

In Malay, ‘Peranakan’ means ‘child of’ or ‘born of’, and refers to a person of mixed ethnicity. Most of the Peranakan Chinese in Singapore came from Malacca after Sir Stamford Raffles established a trading port and British settlement here in 1819. Because they were mostly English-educated and could speak Malay and Hokkien, the Peranakans acted as middlemen between the British and local traders. They soon became prominent members of colonial society during the 19th century, having made their fortunes as trade merchants.

The male Peranakans are also known as Babas. They were brought up to be the breadwinners of their family and to succeed in their careers like law, medicine, trade or commerce. It was usual for them to be English educated. They

As for the poorer families who could not afford the expensive jewelleries, they would have to loan them from wealthier Peranakan families through a Mistress of Ceremony, and would typically mean to opt for a simpler affair.

The Peranakan culture has one distinct feature which is the use of bright colours. Some of the colours are yellow, pink, green, blue and purple. They would use those colours in their beadwork, embroidery, kebayas and porcelain. Decorative motifs and symbols are also common. While most of the porcelain, silverware and furniture were paid for, most of the needlework and embroidery had to be done by the Nyonyas. The finished beadwork would usually be included in tapestries, tablecloths or handbags and belts. Some of which were also sent to a cobbler to make beaded slippers.
Peranakan beadwork is time-consuming so it is highly prized. Small multi-faceted glass beads from Europe has a pretty shimmering effect hence, it is favoured. The small multi-faceted glass beads are different from the more common smooth-surfaced beads which result in duller-looking