Peranakan

The Baba Nyonya - Peranakan or are a resident in Malaya ethnic group that originally came from the combination of Malay women and Chinese men. The Chinese men had immigrated as wage laborers to Malaya.

Baba refers to a male members of this group, Nyonya female. Baba Nyonya - Peranakan and collective terms are synonymous.

Through this intercultural marriages a society that was dominated by Sino- Malay culture was formed. The culturally dominant Chinese element remained permanently retained since in the following generations marriages mostly within the ethnic group or Chinese were closed.

The Baba Nyonya - are also called Peranakan or Straits Chinese ( according to the Strait of Malacca ).

The word " Peranakan " is also used to refer to Chinese -born Indonesian. In both cases, referred to " Peranakan " offspring of parents of different ethnicity.

Most have Peranakan Hokkien ancestors; some are derived from Teochew and Cantonese. Records from the 19th and early 20th century indicate that young Peranakan men usually sought brides within the local Peranakan community. Peranakan families often also brought young women from China to the marriage, or sent their daughters to China to find a husband. Starting from the Malay- Chinese mix the Chinese element should be strengthened.

In the multi-cultural Malaysian society the Malay element should dominate state support. This in turn leads to a segregation of the Chinese and Indian minority ethnic groups: while you live together in one state, but in the groups partly demarcation is operated. The Malaysian society is thus not become uniformly mixed culture, but the individual groups tend to live side by side and tolerate fairly peaceful, the presence of "the others ".

Sharper still is bordered this from in Indonesia: there was an example for a long time the use of Chinese characters simply prohibited.

A real mixed culture in small-scale, however, the Peranakan or Baba - Nyonya.

There is also a small group of Indian Peranakans, known as the Chitty: in their group to mix Chinese and Indian ethnic groups.

History

Even though the company of Baba - Nyonya trained only towards the end of the 19th century, the Chinese settlement in Malaya has a long history:

In the late Tang Dynasty ( 618-907 ) and early Sung dynasty ( 960-1279 ) settled first Chinese traders from Fujian in Malaya to. In the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1378) to her home port of Xiamen reached its zenith as China's main port. There were birds' nests ( a delicacy ), tin, rattan, Betelwachs and other products of Malaya traded.

In the Ming Dynasty, the foreign trade in Guangzhou was awarded in the Guangdong province. Nevertheless operated the Hokkien their trade illegally on, and their overseas settlements began to cut the cord from China.

In the 15th century, the city-states of the Malay Peninsula often paid tribute to China and to the King of Siam / Thailand. In response to this tribute to the Sultan of Malacca was once sent a Chinese princess. The servants who accompanied the princess grew into in the progeny to Straits -born Chinese.

The Peranakan retained most of their ethnic and religious origin, but took the language and culture of the Malay to. They developed as a unique culture and its own kitchen. Many sources claim that the early Peranakan mingled with the local population of the Malays, or at least indicated the lack of physical characteristics for many experts pointed out that the Chinese ethnic group is quite eroded. The Peranakan often sent their sons and daughters to China to look for spouses. In the early 1800's more Chinese immigrants increased the Peranakan population.

Also banned the religion of the Malays, Islam, the marriage without prior conversion of the spouse to Islam. The intellectual world of Islam, however, is partly Chinese far away. Thus young people found with Chinese cultural background are difficult Malay partners in marriage.

In the mid-twentieth century, most Peranakan were also trained in the English language, as a result of British colonization. Because the Peranakan quickly adopted the English culture, high administrative tasks to Straits Chinese or Peranakan were often given. The interaction with the English led many Peranakan also to convert to Christianity. In particular, the Chinese -born population in North Borneo is largely Christian.

The Peranakan were very influential in Malacca and Singapore, and were known as " the King's Chinese " because of their proven loyalty to the British crown. Due to their versatile interactions with the different languages ​​and cultures, most Peranakan were, in three languages ​​to communicate to the mid- twentieth century in the situation with the Chinese, British and Malay.

Their ordinary occupations were merchant, dealer, and general intermediaries between China, Malaya and the West. The latter was particularly appreciated by the British, because the Babas also maintained good relations with the Malay and acted as an advisor to the Sultan Malay courts. In fact, the term " Baba " is an honorable Malay word, probably derived from Hindi / Sanskrit: Baba means grandfather or father, and is used as a word of reverence and affection for an elderly gentleman. In the same way Nyonya is the friendly word for grandmother. In this respect, more older people " Peranakan " would be properly marked with "Baba- Nyonya ", however, is more general.

During the British colonial Peranakan / Baba Nyonya - were the most influential group because of their economic superiority. Since it was heavily promoted by the colonial power, they often politically engaged against the Malays.

Today, the Peranakan / Baba Nyonya - divided more and more into the community, based in Malaysia and Singapore, overseas Chinese, which makes them lose their cultural identity more and more. Parallel to this, but certain parts of their culture are supported by government because they are seen as an essential part of the Malaysian and Singaporean history.

Language

Their language, Baba Malay [ Bahasa Melayu Baba ] is a dialect of the Malay language, which contains many Hokkien words. It is a dying language and contemporary use is limited to the elderly. This also applies to the Peranakan culture as a whole.

In Singapore, Peranakan Chinese are ethnically classified as the policy of the government. Because the education except in English in a second language (where " mother language " called ) based on ethnicity, they are required to learn Mandarin, instead of the Malay -dominated Baba Malay language in the families. In Malaysia, however, has the standardization of the language, Bahasa Melayu Malaysia, which is mandatory for all ethnic groups, led to the gradual disappearance of the unique characteristics of Baba Malay.

Culture

The culture of the Peranakan or Baba - Nyonya is equally shaped by Chinese and Malay elements. The daily life, such as language and cuisine, is determined by Malay elements, while religion and important traditions such as weddings, funerals and ancestor worship, Chinese traditions were preserved. Due to the previous spatial isolation of individual communities, there are also major differences between the local forms.

The Baba Nyonya - are now sometimes referred to as the " first Malaysian " or the " first Singaporeans " considered, especially by groups who want to emphasize the multi-cultural orientation of the States. At the same time the assimilation of the Baba Nyonya - amplified in the community of overseas Chinese, which will probably lead to extinction as a group, remain if also get some cultural elements.

Historical and cultural objects of the Baba culture are displayed in cultural houses in the Heereen Street and Jonker Street in Malacca and in Penang as well as the Peranakan Museum in Singapore. There you can see furniture, food items and traditional clothing. There are also a small number of " Nyonya " restaurants in Singapore, Penang, Malacca, and on the west coast of Malaysia.

The Peranakan assimilated in part, to the Malay culture, especially in the food, clothing and language, while on the other hand, some Chinese traditions retained (religion, naming and ethnic identity ), and so completed a cultural fusion of its own. In particular, a separate kitchen with the spices of Malay cuisine developed from the Malay influence. Examples are " Chicken Kapitan ," a chicken curry dish, and " Inchi Kabin ", a Nyonya version of baked chicken.

The women who Nyonyas, baju kebaya began to wear, a Malay clothing, which was best known in the West as clothing stewardesses of Malaysia and Singapore Airlines.

In any case, most Peranakan are not Muslims, they have maintained the tradition of the Chinese by the ancestors, though some converted to Christianity. The wedding ceremony is largely based on Chinese tradition, and is one of the most fascinating in Malaysia and Singapore.

Reasons for the disappearance of their culture are mostly in racial, political and economic constraints caused by nationalism in Malaysia. The Peranakan feel pushed Without British support for their racial neutrality to get back into the Chinese mainstream culture to re- intregrieren.

• Barbara Farkas: Chinese immigrants in Penang. Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main 2009, ISBN 978-3-631-58327-2.
• Lee Chin Koon: Mrs. Lee 's Cookbook. Nonya Recipes and other favorite recipes.
• Mahmood, Datin Sari Endon, The Nyonya Kebaya: A Century of Straits Chinese Costume, ISBN 0794602738