The Peranakan culture is richly steeped with traditions, customs and heritage. When I think of the Peranakan culture, the fussy, gregarious and frequently opinionated bibik comes to mind. That, along with the gorgeous Nonya kebaya, hand beaded slippers and cuisine, are colourful trademarks of the Nonyas.

As I had mentioned here, we are related to the Peranakans by marriage. It gives me an insight into this other colourful culture, which is just as traditional and particular.

The Nonyas are synonymous with their kebayas. While individual taste may vary, the notion of quality is consistent. Fussy bibiks will be able to discern the difference between a kebaya that is embroidered by a master or an apprentice - by scrutinizing the stitching and the intricacy.

Kebaya Renda - lace trimmed kebayas popular before the 1940s

Embroidered kebayas which became popular after 1940s

The Nonyas love their jewellery - the better and more impressive, the better. The jewellery is often a form of status, which reflects on the wealth of the man. The ladies frequently upgrade their jewellery as their husbands flourish in their businesses.

Gold and diamond necklace in the typical Peranakan style

Gold filigree hairpins - used in weddings

The most prominent of Peranakan jewellery - Kerosang - to be worn in a vertical row down the front of the kebaya.

The Peranakans are well known for their beading skills. In the olden days, a bride to be has to send a sample of her beading to her prospective husband’s family to show what a hardworking daughter in law she will be.

The beading before being made into slippers

As you can see, I am a big fan of the kebaya too. In fact, I not only pair it with batik sarong as is the traditional method. I have found it to be versatile with jeans and denim skirts too.

**
This is the first part of a series of writing on the Peranakan culture. Next up - Peranakan wedding customs. Pictures taken in the Peranakan Museum (Singapore).

See more about Peranakan culture here.

1. Hi where do you get those Nonya kebaya?

   Comment by Valie — December 5, 2008 @ 11:00 pm

2. Valie: You can try Katong or People’s Park Complex.

   Comment by Xtralicious — December 5, 2008 @ 11:27 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI