artistahun: The Peranakan Museum

Southeast Asia has been a crossroads for trade since ancient times. Prevailing winds brought traders from distant lands to Southeast Asia. Some of these traders put down roots and married local women. Their descendants are the ancestors of the Peranakans.

The Peranakan Museum showcases the world's finest and more comprehensive collection displayed in 10 galleries. Your eyes will be feasting to over thousands of spectacular artefacts - jewelries, costumes, furnitures, beadworks, porcelain and other Peranakan treasures. And you'll be having fun exploring through 20 multi-media stations and interactives.

The "peranakan" means "child of" or "born of" in the Malay speaking parts of Southeast Asia and is used ti refer to people of mixed ethnic origins. The museum is focused on the Peranakan Chinese who form the biggest number of Peranakans in the Southeast Asia, there are other communities of Peranakans such as the Jawi (Indian Muslim) and the Chitty Melaka (Indian).

a brief history of the Peranakans was showed in this mini-theater in the Gallery 1.

The lobby will surprise you with this chandelier that was actually used during the one-woman play, Emily of Emerald Hill, that depicts the life of a Chinese Peranakan.Emily of Emerald Hill's collections are featured now on exhibit at the gallery.

The second level is all about getting married over 12 days for the Peranakan tradition. What do rituals like the coming of age and the exchange of gifts (this luxurious gifts (dowry) from the bridegroom to the groom) mean to the Peranakans and let its visitor explore the significance of the 12 day peranakan wedding in these galleries. You will also see the museum's famous collection of Peranakan beadwork, an essential backdrop to the wedding celebration.

Nonyas were trained for married life from a young age. they were expected to devote long hours to perfect the art of beadwork and embroidery.

Written by Stella Koh in 1982, emily of emerald Hill tells the story of a Peranakan woman as she evolves from young bride to strong willed matriarch. Through its local subject matter, familiar characters and recognisable patterns of speech, the play expresses a strong Singaporean identity.

The principal character of Emily Gan was inspired by the experiences of the author growing up in a Peranakan household on Emerald Hill n Singapore.

The Peranakan experience will not be complete without a preview of the cuisine and Peranakan dining customs.At the Gallery, visitors will see the unique Tok Panjang porcelain dinner service for the traditional feast during weddings and special occasions.