There are basically three types of Peranakans: 1. Those who are and darn proud about their bloodline 2. Those who are not sure but still darn proud to be one (if they're even one) 3. Those who are but have no freaking clue what it means.

Hello, I fall into category 3. It can be a tad embarrassing when fellow Peranakans squeak in delight when I reveal my parentage. Like the last survivors of Earth 3008 has finally found their fellow mankind (non zombie kind) on Planet Wayang.

"So can you speak Baba Malay?"

"Heh... no."

"Did your grandmother leave you any kebayas?"

"Er... no."

"Got antique kamchengs at home?"

"Kampui I know. What kamchengs?"

Slowly all grins and smiles are wiped off from their faces. I don't blame them if they think I'm just another wannabe because 'mixed blood sounds cool these days'. But secretly I want to tell them that I've never seen my Baba grandfather, my Nonya grandmother never liked me (I've been cursed by her since day one) and the entire paternal family detest The Mother and I. (But we both hate them more, so we win) Therefore I got no hand-me-downs nor the rich family fortune which most Peranakans are supposed to inherit.

Anyhoo. I'm still proud to be a Teochew Peranakan and I've wanting to embrace my heritage since young. My curious inquisitions were often answered half-heartedly by The Father and once a while he would drop a little more hint like "we used to eat with our hands". Ooh that's new. Like I didn't already know. -_-" I suspect he squandered his part of the fortune away. The rest of the aunties and uncles couldn't be bothered mainly because Christianity was so in vogue those days and way cooler than be seen holding an incense stick to pray for my late grandparents. Those homo sapiens...

You cannot imagine my excitement when The Peranakan Musuem opened last month. The world's largest museum housing all things, and only, Peranakan! I couldn't wait longer to rediscover my roots and went ahead to explore the museum on my own.


The old Tao Nan School building was closed and renovated for this purpose. Basically anywhere with a lovely frangipani tree - I like!

A fashion show was just about to begin as I was buying my entry ticket. I contemplated and gave it a miss and quickly joined the scheduled guided tour around the 3-storey building. The galleries are sectioned under 'Origins' 'Wedding' 'Nonya' (and her costumes!) 'Religion' 'Food and Feasting' (My fave!), special exhibits ('Junks to Jewels' for now) and etc. The galleries ain't difficult to maneuver around and every exhibit has its own accompanying storyboard. But follow a museum guide and mostly likely you'd be fed tibits of interesting information which are never found on the 2D storyboard.

A Peranakan wedding is always the highlight - it spans over 12 days! The bride and groom would be made to walk round their neighbourhood to show off their elaborate headdress and costumes and were treated like the Emperor and Empress while a huge entourage follow. (Gossip ladies included)

Headdress for the bride; Singapore (left) and Penang (right) style in juxtapose

Got 'head' endurance? Try having 174 gold pins sticking into your hair

Exquisite piece of embroidery - 1 million glass beads. Can you beat that?

Wong Fei Hong's sunglasses?
(Look Ma, you have a pair of RayBan like this too!)

Beadwork wedding purse with deer and dragon motifs

I admired the jaw-dropping diamond-studded gold-casted jewels in full awe. Damn it! Why ain't any of these passed on to me? Most jewels on display are on loan from grandchildren who were so doted by their jewellery-laden grandmothers and so they inherit the heirlooms. Many tell the story of heart-warming story of kinship.

If I'm correct, each brooch here has 72 diamonds casted on it.

Gold-casted hair pins with dragonfly 'pop-ups'

Mary-Janes were popular in 1920s! With Rhinestones somemore!

Mrs Wee Kim Wee's cheongsum for her wedding

Here comes the million-dollar question: What is a Kamcheng?

Café-Au-Lait Kamcheng with Phoenix and Peony Motifs (from Guangxu Period 1875-1808)

The kamcheng is a brilliantly painted porcelain ware commonly used in the Peranakans' kitchens to store water, rice, food, preserved pickles and etc. As Peranakans, we like all things colourful and decorative. So the less white space the better. In fact, I find these urn-like ware a tad familiar... I probably have seen these lying around in our kitchen.
These porcelain wares are now valuable for the craftsmanship. The rich and wealthy families would commission a pattern (usually the family name) on their wares. The museum houses a full set of dining ware, owned by a certain high-ranking Chinese official who came to Singapore to settle.

There are so much more to take home with me. The artefacts are well displayed and detailed. So many stories behind each and every piece. Peranakan or not, you should visit, for cultural sake at least. The turnout over the weekend was great. I hope it's not another passing fab.

But can I say something? The museum made an effort to create an all-Peranakan atmosphere by hiring part-time actors to play the part of Babas and Nonyas touring the galleries. 'But Selemat Datang' is all they can say. Seriously, learn a few more words can or not? Like Chilakah, Apah Kepah, Kueh Pie Tee.

The Mother did take one good thing from her in-laws though - Kueh Pie Tee! She makes superduperuber awesome kueh pie tees for every lunar new year. Can't wait for the next feasting.

missy(browneyes) is a proud peranakan who will not go without her fan like a true bibak.