MALACCA: The state had vowed to preserve the myriad of Peranakan cultures that co-existed here by introducing these unique communities to the world through many platforms including tourism.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the Peranakan community in Malacca are a distinct and culturally vibrant people with their heritage dating back to Malacca Sultanate.
“Long before the 1Malaysia concept, Malacca was and still is the epitome of multiracial society through the assimilation of Malay, Chinese and Indians communities giving birth to the exquisite Peranakan culture.
Vibrant and colourful: Peranakan culture can be a tourism attraction. “Hence, the state is serious in conserving these cultures through multitude approaches as well as promoting diversified civilisation of these community at an International level,” he told Starmetro.
Mohd Ali commented on this after the call by the Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to turn the unique Baba and Nyonya culture as iconic tourism product for the state.
He added that apart from the Chinese Peranakan or Baba community, Malacca is also blessed with other communities like the Peranakan Jawi (locals of Arabic descent) and Chetti Peranakan (naturalised Hindus).
However, he noted that the Chinese Peranakan had the largest population in the state where the community population in Malacca rose significantly over the decades through intermarriage between the Chinese and the Malays.
Peranakan dress and cuisine are influenced by the local while cuisines are well-known for its spices and flavours characteristic of Chinese, Malay and South Indian cooking.
Mohd Ali said the Peranakan communities here have reached the zenith of its existence, enjoying immense wealth, cultural expansion, and good relations with the state.
He added that Malacca’s Peranakan cultural heritage is unique to Southeast Asia, a mixture of Malay Chinese, Indian and Arab culture.
During a dinner in conjunction with the International Baba Nyonya Festival 2011 here last week, Rosmah had urged the state to exploit Malacca’s cultural diversity as a tourism product while creating awareness among tourists on the nations unique Baba-Nyonya culture.
She also proposed for the festival to be included in the state’s tourism calendar, saying that it would be a good platform to further promote Malaysia’s unique arts and culture globally.
The Prime Minister’s wife added that such festivals would also help inculcate cultural appreciation among the Malaysian youths.
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