Assalamualikum and hi everyone. I’d love to share you some uniqueness about the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum which is located in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a street adjacent to the Jonker Walk.Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock also known as the Millionaire’s Row in Melaka. This museum was established in 1896 and was once the family home of the Baba Chan family . Having been around for more than 100 years, this heritage building was built during the Dutch occupancy and later bought over by the Baba Chan family.
Besides that, Baba and Nyonya are also known as Peranakan or Straits Chinese, the descendants of noble Chinese who migrated to the British Straits Settlements of Malacca and adopted the local Malay culture. I love the uniqueness of the Baba and Nyonya’s culture which is the intermarriages between the Chinese immigrants and the local Malay. The Peranakan no longer speak the dialect of their ancestors but a language of their own. Baba is the term used for the male while Nyoya is used for the female.
The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum illustrates the way of living of the Peranakans at the end of the 19th century, a unique blend of the east and the west. The design of this heritage building is influenced by the various European architecture such as the Victorian era chandeliers and floor tiles. This museum also have various priceless antique furniture made in Italy, Britain and Dutch made of finely carved hardwood. There are also finely carved furniture featuring wonderful classic Chinese work of art. Besides that, Peranakan cuisine came about because these settlers applied the Chinese method to Malay ingredients and recipes. Their food is tangy, aromatic, spicy and also herbal for example nyonya laksa, kapitan chicken, itek tim, cendol and nyonya kuih.
For your information, the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum exhibits an archive of beautiful traditional Baba and Nyonya costumes and a unique bridal chamber. There is also black and white photo exhibits the Chinese tradition of foot-binding which was common among girls of Peranakan. You can also find the beautifully crafted and intricately designed miniature shoes. By the way, you can explore the interiors of a typical Peranakan house by your own or with your family and friends. The guided tours can tell more interesting stories about Peranakan culture, architecture and curios.
Iman Hidayah Bukhari
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