Peranakan Culture

Given all the popularity with peranakan culture nowadays, I visited a restored Peranakan mansion when I was in Penang. And to my pleasant surprise, the mansion happened to be the place where MediaCorp did the filming for their Little Nonya drama.

This place was previously the home of a Chinese official Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee who settled in Penang and married local women. It was in the ruins after decades of neglect but it was bought over and restored to its former glory few years back.


The main hall


The dining hall was on the 2nd floor where the whole family had their meals.


I find these colourful tassels very inspiring. They are everywhere in a Peranakan household from beds to bridal head gears. And they may even inspire my next collections.


Bridal head gear for the groom and bride.


Missy's bed


Some of these embroidery were actually done by the ladies themselves where they had the time to do it from day to night.

I went for their conducted tour. And it is really worthwhile as the guide was very knowledgeable about the different aspects of the Peranakan lifestyles, their history and it made us feel we were living their life at that moment in time!
Check out their website www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my

My love for the Peranakan culture started a few years back before the show became popular. This was taken few years back in the famous Penang Blue Mansion which is also a restored Peranakan mansion. I heard you can even stay in it now.