Studies of Baba Nyonya

BabaNyonya is also known as peranakan in the asian region. There are known as the descendants of the late 15th and 16th century Chinese immigrants to the Nusantara region during the colonial era. Most of the "Baba-Nyonya" was located in Melaka and the term "Baba-Nyonya" is usually address as "Nyonya-Baba". The name Baba is for the men and while the Nyonya is for the ladies. They are usually merchants or traders of the British ,Chinese and the Malays. They will always have the ability to speak more than two language such as the local malay and chinese. "Peranakan" is defined as the "descendant" with no connotation of the ethnicity in the Malay and Indonesian culture. Baba is a Persian loan-word borrowed by the Malaysian as an honorific title for grandparents or to the males as well. In their culture , clothing for the Nyonya Baba is their most ethnic and religious tradition.

The Nyonya 's clothing was almost like a replica which is the Malay 's "baju kurung" , batik sarong and kerongsang. In old times a Nyonya 's duty was to sew,cook and handle household chores perfectly to serve their future husband. It was tough for the Nyonya 's but its their destiny and fate. They were considered the most hardworking and loyal wife in that time. The Baba Nyonya is religious and was subscribed into Taoism , Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism.

As for the cuisine in the Nyonya history, they have the most delicious pastries and famous fried snacks using typical Malay spices. Examples are the chicken kapitan, dry chicken curry , and inchi cabin. They normally would make Malay style Kuih Muih with the coconut silks and other parties as well. In those times, nyonya food was considered the best delicacy in the asian region.

Marriage in the peranakan is based on the chinese tradition , and is one of the most colorful wedding ceremonies in malaysia and singapore. At the wedding ceremony, the guests will be performing the famous song "Dondang Sayang" and is normally a crowded session for the both the bride and groom. Currently the culture of the Baba Nyonya has been disappearing in Malaysia and Singapore. Only the younger generations of the peranakan culture still speak their creole language although many young women don't wear the kebaya anymore but they still follow the western culture. The migration of the peranakan families has moved to the neighboring countries from Vietnam to Australia. However, these communities are very small and the use of the Peranakan Malay and Baba Malay has been diluted.