KOREA FOUNDATION

ASEAN Heritage​

Peranakans of Singapore, the Land of Harmony​​

Edited by: Synergy Hill+Knowlton Strategies (agency of record for the Singapore Tourism Board)

The Peranakan people have been part of the cultural foundation of Singapore, a multicultural country, for the past few centuries. A major trade port and intersecting point of East and West, Singapore was influenced by multiple countries (including China, England, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Portugal, etc.) following the Age of Exploration. Derived from the Malaysian word for “child” (anak), Peranakans are an ethnic group of mixed ancestry that emerged through the marriage of foreign men and local women. Most of today’s Peranakans are descendants from the 15th century offspring of Han Chinese male merchants who settled in Malacca Island and local women of the Malay Peninsula. Peranakan men are known as “baba,” while women are called “nyonya.” 

   Singapore’s Katong area is the long-time home of the Peranakans. It is a wonderful place to experience Peranakan culture, as can be seen from the well-preserved, neatly-aligned Peranakan buildings that never fail to attract the attention of tourists with their beautiful colors, ranging from bright pastels to bold combinations of complementary hues (such as pink and green). A closer look at the typical Peranakan home shows a combined influence of multiple countries’ cultures: the walls are covered with Chinese glazed tiles that each feature floral designs, while the Mediterranean-style rounded window frames and eaves have pointed decorations lining them underneath. The exquisite harmony of colors and designs is such that, from a distance, the Katong area looks like a row of cabinets.

    Like its architecture, traditional Peranakan food is rich in vivid colors and flavors. The Peranakans created a body of cuisine that reinterprets the tastes of China, Indonesia, and Malaysia in their own way. Most dishes are made by combining Chinese ingredients and cooking methods with the strong, stimulating seasonings of the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia (spicy chili sauce, coconut milk, lemon sauce, etc.). A popular dessert is a sweet noodle dish called “tai bak.” Noodles are cut from a firm dough made by boiling down rice and tapioca powder, and they are usually served in a sweet beverage (as the “broth”) and with ice. Tai bak is usually prepared for special occasions, and the colors vary depending on the nature of the event. For celebrations such as weddings or birthdays the dessert is served in bright pink and white to express happiness, while blue is used for solemn occasions like funerals as a show of respect and consolation. 

   The Peranakans are a symbol of Singapore and a positive outcome of cultures blending without conflict. The Peranakans and their culture are perhaps the best embodiment of Singapore’s philosophy of acceptance and co-existence. Singapore, which offers an experience of many different cultures within a relatively small territory, will continue to be the home of a people with a culture that is as distinctive as their fascinating origins.