Chow (centre) with Gin Soon on his left and other attendees at the gala dinner in Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Two-day anniversary event draws over 500 including delegates from neighbouring countries and as far as Australia
THE rich and vibrant tapestry of the Peranakan culture came alive at the State Chinese Penang Association’s (SCPA) 103rd anniversary celebration in Penang.
Themed “The Chinese Peranakan Tapestry – Weaving Stories for Over a Century”, the two-day celebration drew more than 500 Peranakan Babas and Nyonyas from Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia.
The gala dinner at Jen Hotel saw the men dressed in batik shirts and the women in embroidered kebaya and sarong batik.
The night of merriment was not only all about dining as it also showcased Peranakan fashion, complete with decorative accessories such as cucuk sanggul (hairpin), silver belt for securing the sarong, kerongsang and beaded slippers known as kasut manek.
It also featured Peranakan cultural performances joget, dondang sayang and Peranakan delicacies.
Formerly known as the Straits Chinese British Association Penang (SCBA), it was founded in 1920 with Lim Eu Toh as its first president.
A wayang kulit show for the opening performance during the anniversary celebration.
The SCBA changed its name to Straits Chinese (Penang) Association in 1957 and acquired its current premises in Perak Road back in 1988.
In 1989, the association became known as the State Chinese Penang Association.
The SCPA upholds its illustrious Peranakan culture through the practice of age-old rituals, ceremonies, superstitions, Nyonya cuisine, the elegant kebaya with the sarong, the baju pendek, the baju panjang, accessories, Nyonya pastimes like beadwork, needlework, embroidery, cooking and Cherki games.
At the dinner, Baba Nyonya Association Malaysia president Ronald Gan said in March, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) submitted a multinational nomination for the kebaya to be included in the Unesco Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
He said the submission was jointly carried out by Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand and the result would be known in October next year.
A gamelan performance and Nyonya dance (below) during the event.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his wife Tan Lean Kee were also present during the dinner.
In his speech, Chow said SCPA today stood tall and strong in the face of multifaceted changes in the 21st century.
He spoke highly of the Peranakans and their humble beginnings in Penang, hailing their commitment to a culture of their own, the transition over the years, which included triumphing over challenges and standing strong as one community.
SCPA president Datuk Seri Tan Gin Soon said the Baba Nyonya International Convention 2023 in Melaka saw a declaration of support made by the Federation of Peranakan Associations to support the nomination of kebaya for the Unesco inscription.
He said besides making sure that kebaya remained relevant in the 21st century, the federation also pledged to actively safeguard, preserve, protect and promote the kebaya for posterity.
Spotted at the dinner was Peranakan Community of Western Australia president Freddie Low, 58, a Melaka-born who said he was impressed with the unity displayed among the Peranakan community in Penang.
“I was at a convention in Singapore in 2012 when I realised the significance and uniqueness of this culture.
“I am very proud to be a part of it and it is amazing how this community is being preserved tremendously well in Penang,” said Low, who was with his wife Luanna, 51.
Belgian Nadiane Bastin, 68, who was at the dinner as a guest, said she adored the colourful and vibrant showcase of Peranakan food, costumes and accessories.
“I especially love the kebaya because it is so beautiful with its unique intricate designs and embroidery,” she said.
The second day of the anniversary celebration saw a street procession with a float showcasing a keroncong and angklung band from Indonesia, trishaw rides and a th’ng tok luncheon featuring Peranakan cuisine.
Indonesian students also performed the Saman Dance and Dragon Dance.
Present at the event were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Zeng, organising chairman Alan Tan, Pertiwi (Peranakan Tionghoa Warga Indonesia) president Udaya Halim and Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff.
