Learning about unique cultural heritage
THE Berjaya School of Humanities & Social Sciences of Berjaya University College (Berjaya UC) in collaboration with the Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor (PPBNKLS) recently organised a public event, “Exploring Ethnic Diversity: Baba & Nyonya through the Lens of Culture”, at the city campus to promote cultural awareness of the Baba Nyonya community.
“In addition to revitalising and preserving the cultural heritage of Baba Nyonya for future generations, it is also the objective of this event to promote cultural awareness by emphasising the uniqueness of the Baba Nyonya culture,” said Berjaya UC’s Faculty of Liberal Arts dean Prof Dr Eileen Lee.
“This event which was held over two days enabled students to learn more about the cultural heritage of the Baba Nyonya community as well as to unite the multinational and multicultural student body at Berjaya UC to appreciate the culture of other ethnic groups,” said Prof Lee, a Malaccan who is of Peranakan background.
Being a significant part of the Malaysian ethnic fabric, the Baba Nyonya community is notably represented by its unique cultural heritage in terms of customs, language and culinary exploits.
For this event, members from the PPBNKLS worked closely with the students to organise a number of activities which included a talk on the Baba Nyonya history and culture by association president Cedric Tan.
An exhibition on Baba Nyonya cultural heritage (designs, architecture and house furnishings) and food presentation of distinct Nyonya cuisine was also held.
“This event is also significant as it is in line with the learning outcomes of the Ethnic Relations course, a compulsory subject for all Malaysian university students.
“It is to realise national integration through culture by engaging students to interact with other ethnicities,” said course lecturer Normaizura Md Zain.
“As part of the association’s objectives, we looked forward to this collaboration effort with Berjaya UC, to encourage the youth of today to learn and appreciate the traditions and customs of our forefathers.
“The Babas and Nyonyas readily adopted local and foreign cultures and adapted to their new environment with ease.
“Adapting to their new environment was possible as our forefathers appreciated the many positive traits found in the local and foreign culture they were exposed too.
“These are the positive traits that our youth today can emulate,” said Tan.
Berjaya Higher Education Sdn Bhd CEO and executive director Mae Ho said: “Nothing bridges cultures as well as food.”
“This event is an excellent opportunity for us to learn more about the Baba Nyonya culture as well as to taste popular dishes and kuih.
“In addition, we would like to highlight that the Faculty of Culinary Arts offers a Diploma in Heritage Cuisine to provide opportunities to students to master our heritage cuisine, which we believe should be introduced to the world,” she said.
Hoe said the chefs prepared Rendang Tok, a dish from Perak, during the event.