Babas and Nyonyas
Have you heard of ‘Babas and Nyonyas’? Or visited a Peranakan restaurant? If you have ever been curious about these terms, dive right in and find out more!
A Unique Mix
Between the 15th and 17th centuries, male Chinese immigrants settled in the Malay Peninsula. Many of them married local Malay women, giving rise to a new generation of people, known as the Peranakans. Male Peranakans are known as Babas, and females are known as Nyonyas or Nonyas. The Peranakan heritage is considered by many to be a unique mix of Malay, Chinese and Western cultures.
A Prosperous Community
During the colonial era, many Babas and Nyonyas were among the first to adopt the English language. The Peranakans were a wealthy community and many of them lived an
affluent life in lavish townhouses. These houses typically stood out because of their beautiful and colourful designs.
Traditional Baba clothing comprises a Chinese costume with intricate embroidery done using gold thread. Nyonyas, on the other hand, wear the nyonya kebaya — a sheer but heavily-embroidered fitted blouse with a long skirt. Their jewellery, shoes and other accessories show very fine workmanship. Today, some Babas and Nyonyas continue to wear these unique costumes, especially during special occasions.
Cultural Cuisine
One of the most well-known features of Peranakan culture is its delicious cuisine. Strong Malay and Indonesian influences, with the use of contrasting spices and condiments lend a very unique touch to their cuisine. Spices, coconut milk and tamarind feature commonly in many of the signature Peranakan dishes. Their sweet cakes, known as nyonya kueh, are also very popular. u