PENANG: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” may seem like a Western tradition for brides, but for the Straits Chinese in Penang, particularly those of Hokkien descent, the Baba and Nyonya community is exactly the epitome of that phrase .
Much like the cherished bridal tradition, the Baba and Nyonya culture intertwines elements of “something old” – rooted in the 15th century arrival of Chinese settlers adopting local indigenous customs – with “something new,” representing the evolving practices and customs that have shaped their unique identity over the centuries.
This cultural montage also borrows influences from the Malays, creating a harmonious blend akin to “something borrowed.” As for “something blue,” it resonates with a sense of connection, reflecting the maritime trade roots integral to their heritage, and perhaps, subtly alluding to British influence, whose eyes were often blue, and reminiscent of the being known as the “King’s “Chinese who speak the Queen’s English.”
According to historical records, Chinese maritime traders engaged in trade in the Malay Peninsula as early as 618AD during the Tang Dynasty, and these influences continue to permeate the Baba and Nyonya community in Penang today.
Broadly known as Peranakans, these Sino communities can be found in Kelantan, Terengganu, Malacca, Penang, Sabah and Penang. Detailed records are scanned prior to the 15th century, and the earliest known Chinese settlers in Southeast Asia were documented by Admiral Cheng Ho’s traveling companion and translator, Ma Huan, in the early 1400s. Other than that, it is believed Kublai Khan invaded Borneo in 1292 during the Yuan Dynasty and established a settlement along the Kinabatangan River.
Tian Chua, a former member of Parliament who identifies as a Baba from Malacca, asserted that the Straits Chinese adopted Malay culture to integrate with the local population, aligning with the historical context of the region. “They saw the Malay culture as being superior.”
The desire to distance themselves from certain practices in China, such as foot binding, further demonstrates the adaptive nature of the community. This cultural assimilation was not just a means of blending in but a true acceptance of local customs and traditions.
“At that time, Chinese women, including my grandmother, wanted to escape foot binding. We maintained the Chinese cultural aspects and incorporated aspects of the local community which seemed superior to the ‘backward’ mainlanders and new immigrants or Sinkhek .
“Baba and Nyonya are essentially Chinese people who embraced the Malayan socio-economic, and later political conditions,” he said. “Men typically wear suits and ties, reflective of the prevalent British influence in that era.”
Over at the Penang Peranakan Mansion on Church Street, visitors are seen exploring the property, capturing a glimpse into the lives led by the late Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee’s family – one of the wealthiest families in Penang in the late 19th century.
