With an estimated population of only 7 million worldwide, the Baba Nyonya are always in the minority. They are also called “Peranakan,” which means “descendant” because they are descended from Chinese who moved there during the 15th and 16th centuries. “Baba” refers to Peranakan men (it was originally a respectful word for grandfather), while “nyonya” is the term for Peranakan women. The Baba Nyonya are primarily located in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

History

The Baba Nyonya are a subgroup of “Straits-born Chinese.” Their ancestors were Hokkien or Cantonese settlers. However, Malaysian legend claims that in 1459, Chinese Princess Hang Li Po was sent by the emperor of China to marry the Melakan sultan. Her entourage included 500 servants, family members, and noblemen. This new Chinese population intermarried with Malays over time, although some families searched for spouses from China. In this way, the two cultures blended together to form the Baba Nyonya, while still remaining predominantly Chinese.

During the British colonial era in the Straits, the Peranakans often filled civil servant roles. They were British educated and more willing to learn English than their Malaysian counterparts. After the British departed, the Peranakans lost their special status and assimilated back into the newer Chinese community. Thus, today the strongholds of Baba Nyonya culture are Melaka (Malacca) and Penang, Malaysia.

Food  

The most notable aspect of Baba Nyonya culture is their rich food heritage, which is a blend of Chinese and Malay cuisine. It is called Nyonya cuisine (after the women who make it), and making this food is very labor-intensive. Typical spices used include chili peppers, lemongrass, and turmeric. Some notable Nyonya dishes are asam laska (hot and sour fish and noodle soup), popiah (spicy prawn and veggie spring rolls), and cendol (a shaved-ice dessert with beans, jelly noodles, and coconut milk). To truly experience Baba Nyonya culture, one must taste their unique cooking.

Religion

Although some Straits Chinese converted to Islam (the religion of Malays) or Christianity (brought by the British), most Peranakans retain their traditional Chinese beliefs. They primarily practice Buddhism and ancestor worship. Places populated by the Baba Nyonya tend to have many ornate Buddhist temples where active worship still takes place. Peranakans also celebrate traditional Chinese festivals, such as the Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival. Instead of changing their religious beliefs, the Peranakans adopted Malay clothing and created their own dialect of the Malay language.

Unfortunately, the Baba Nyonya culture is dying out as western culture and mainstream Chinese culture becomes more prominent. Visitors can still experience its traditional Peranakan culture by exploring the neighborhoods of Melaka or Penang and by visiting the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum in Melaka or the Peranakan Museum in Singapore.