Phuket Airport apologises for mural featuring Singapore's Peranakan houses
Phuket airport said it had used the photo of S'pore shophouses to suggest that similar shophouses could be found in Phuket
Travellers to Thailand's Phuket — a popular destination among Singaporeans — were recently greeted at its airport by a mural of the island's attractions, such as the Chaithararam Temple, the Big Buddha Phuket and Phuket Old Town.
Singapore's colourful Peranakan shophouses in Koon Seng Road in the Joo Chiat area are also included in the mural.
The inclusion of the Singapore landmark caused a furore online, with the airport subsequently apologising in a statement.
Baba Culture: The Unique Heritage of Phuket
Baba culture, also known as Peranakan culture, is a unique blend of Chinese and Malay traditions that emerged in Phuket, Thailand, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This fascinating culture is a testament to the melting pot of cultures that existed in the region during this time, and it has left a lasting impact on the island of Phuket. The term “Baba” refers to the male descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in Phuket and intermarried with Malay women. The female descendants are known as “Nyonya”. The Baba community was known for its wealth and business acumen, and they played a significant role in the economic development of Phuket.
One of the most distinctive features of Baba culture is its architecture. Baba houses are typically built with a mixture of Chinese and European styles, featuring ornate decorations, intricate carvings, and brightly colored tiles. The interiors of these houses are equally impressive, with antique furniture, hand-painted porcelain, and other luxurious items. Another hallmark of Baba culture is its cuisine. Baba food is a unique blend of Chinese and Malay flavors, featuring spicy curries, noodle dishes, and soups. Some of the most popular dishes include laksa, a spicy noodle soup with coconut milk, and otak-otak, a grilled fish cake wrapped in banana leaves. Baba culture also has its own distinct fashion. Nyonya women are known for wearing colorful, intricately embroidered kebayas, which are traditional blouses paired with sarongs. These outfits are often accessorized with ornate jewelry and elaborate hairstyles. Music and dance are also important parts of Baba culture. Traditional Baba music is known for its use of stringed instruments, such as the erhu and the guzheng, as well as percussion instruments like the drums and cymbals. Baba dances are often performed in groups, with dancers wearing colorful costumes and performing intricate choreography. Despite the many contributions that Baba culture has made to Phuket, the community has faced many challenges over the years. The rise of modernization and globalization has led to a decline in traditional Baba practices, and
Fortunately, efforts are being made to preserve and promote Baba culture in Phuket. One such effort is the Baba Museum, which was opened in 2001 to showcase the history and culture of the Baba community. The museum features exhibits on Baba architecture, cuisine, fashion, and other aspects of the culture. There are also a number of cultural events and festivals that celebrate Baba culture. The annual Phuket Baba Wedding Festival is one such event, which takes place in February and showcases traditional Baba wedding customs, including processions, music, and dance. Overall, Baba culture is a unique and fascinating part of Phuket’s heritage. Its blend of Chinese and Malay traditions has created a rich and diverse culture that has had a lasting impact on the island. As efforts continue to preserve and promote this heritage, visitors to Phuket will have the opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the Baba community, and experience its many unique and distinctive features.
Peranakan traditions in Phuket
Drawn by opportunities to Phuket’s then very new tin mining industry, many Straits Chinese migrated to the island in the 19th century. Once they had secured jobs and settled, many of the men married local women. These mixed-blood marriages gave way to a new ethnicity known as the Peranakan or Baba Nyonya.
Phuket’s Thai-Chinese Peranakan community, also popularly known as Phuket Babas, is predominantly of Hokkien ancestry and has long held on to its unique culture and traditions, remaining a stronghold in the Phuket community. Today, it’s estimated that at least 70% of Phuket’s population has Peranakan ancestral roots. Highly involved in the development of the tin mining industry on the island, Phuket’s Peranakan community evolved to be one of the wealthiest in Southeast Asia. The heart of Peranakan Phuket is located in the delightful Old Town quarter. Strolling along Thalang, Krabi and Phang Nga roads, and the cozy little lane Soi Romanee, lends an opportunity to observe the many Sino-Portuguese shop-houses and their unique architecture.
Many of the fascinating shop-houses and buildings that line these streets were the original homes of the most well-to-do Peranakan families in Phuket. Oddly enough, in days gone by, Soi Romanee was the town’s red light district but these days it’s lined with local residences, boutique guesthouses and art galleries. In the evening, the Old Town quarter comes alive as the area’s buildings are lit up with colourful lights, meaning that photographic opportunities abound.
The Influence of Peranakan Culture in Phuket
Peranakan culture in Phuket is based on the traditions of the Baba, male descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled on the island and married local women. Nyonya is the equivalent female version of the Baba. Predominantly of Hokkien origins, these unions created the Peranakan community, featuring the distinct identity of Chinese and Malay culture.
The Peranakan cultural influences are not only limited to Phuket but can also be found in Singapore and Malaysia, where Chinese and Malay traditions are evident. In Phuket, the influences are primarily found in the Old Town quarter, where Sino-Portuguese buildings line the streets, Asian fusion cuisine is offered in most cafes and restaurants, and many men and women of the community still don traditional clothing. 70% of the local Phuket population is believed to have Peranakan ancestral origins.
Let’s take a look at how the Peranakan culture created Phuket’s unique Chinese-Malay identity:
- Architecture
- Festivals
- Traditional Clothing
- Food
Baba Culture: The Unique Heritage of Phuket
Baba culture, also known as Peranakan culture, is a unique blend of Chinese and Malay traditions that emerged in Phuket, Thailand, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This fascinating culture is a testament to the melting pot of cultures that existed in the region during this time, and it has left a lasting impact on the island of Phuket.
The term “Baba” refers to the male descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in Phuket and intermarried with Malay women. The female descendants are known as “Nyonya”. The Baba community was known for its wealth and business acumen, and they played a significant role in the economic development of Phuket. One of the most distinctive features of Baba culture is its architecture. Baba houses are typically built with a mixture of Chinese and European styles, featuring ornate decorations, intricate carvings, and brightly colored tiles. The interiors of these houses are equally impressive, with antique furniture, hand-painted porcelain, and other luxurious items. Another hallmark of Baba culture is its cuisine. Baba food is a unique blend of Chinese and Malay flavors, featuring spicy curries, noodle dishes, and soups. Some of the most popular dishes include laksa, a spicy noodle soup with coconut milk, and otak-otak, a grilled fish cake wrapped in banana leaves.
Baba culture also has its own distinct fashion. Nyonya women are known for wearing colorful, intricately embroidered kebayas, which are traditional blouses paired with sarongs. These outfits are often accessorized with ornate jewelry and elaborate hairstyles. Music and dance are also important parts of Baba culture. Traditional Baba music is known for its use of stringed instruments, such as the erhu and the guzheng, as well as percussion instruments like the drums and cymbals. Baba dances are often performed in groups, with dancers wearing colorful costumes and performing intricate choreography. Despite the many contributions that Baba culture has made to Phuket, the community has faced many challenges over the years. The rise of modernization and globalization has led to a decline in traditional Baba practices, and many young people are no longer interested in learning about their cultural heritage. Fortunately, efforts are being made to preserve and promote Baba culture in Phuket. One such effort is the Baba Museum, which was opened in 2001 to showcase the history and culture of the Baba community. The museum features exhibits on Baba architecture, cuisine, fashion, and other aspects of the culture.
Culture: Peranakan community in Phuket
Across Southeast Asia, the diaspora of communities togther make for a unique sense of diversity. One said community is the Peranakan who address themselves as “Baba Nyonya”.
Baba refers to the descendants of males who migrated to Nanyang in the past and married local women. They are said to accumulated huge wealth through assiduous work in businesses. Meanwhile women are called Nyonya.
Peranakan Chinese are the descendants of Chises immigrants who came to Malay archipelago. As marriages is a major event of one's life, Penarakan communities have became a showcase of Straits Chinese culture and traditions,
PHUKET’S PERANAKAN COMMUNITY
Baba and Yaya are terms used for the descendants of late 19th century Chinese immigrants to Phuket. Baba is used for male and Yaya for female.
“Peranakan” is a Malay term that, literally translated, means “of mixed race”. Over the centuries it has become used to identify the descendants of the first Chinese settlers in southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia and their locally-born wives. The great majority of these Chinese migrants came from southern Fujian Province and spoke Hokkien dialect.
Hard-working and ambitious, they were commercially successful, gradually developing and expanding both local and regional trade. Before too long many were rich – but since few Chinese women made the long and adventurous journey south, they lacked Chinese wives. The solution was close at hand –intermarriage with local Malay and Thai women. In this way, the Peranakan community was born, with the descendants of the original hardy and adventurous Chinese migrants adopting many facets of local culture, while retaining their commercial links with home and with each other.
Phuket Baba Wedding: The Peranakan Celebration of Everlasting Love
An annual event held in the month of June, the Phuket Baba Wedding is a spectacular, colorful affair. It is a traditional Chinese event that takes place in Phuket Old Town, and a fitting throwback to the island’s tin mining industry and the wealth and culture that came with those days.
So, what exactly does Baba stand for? Baba is a word that comes from the Peranakan culture. Baba (male) and Nyonya (female) are the terms used to describe the descendants of mixed marriages between Chinese immigrants and locals. Many of these original mixed marriages occurred during the 19th century, at the height of Phuket’s tin mining days. However, even today, some of Phuket’s largest and most influential families are Baba families.
Hosted by the Thai Peranakan Association, the Phuket Baba Wedding is an exquisite affair. The mass wedding takes place over two days, and the celebrations are usually carried out in some of Phuket’s elegant Sino-Portuguese mansions that are tucked away in the Old Town district. Thalang Road, the heart of Phuket Old Town, plays host to colorful street celebrations and a lively parade which allows onlookers the opportunity to appreciate the elaborate costumes and admire the newly married couples. The parade is always so beautiful and makes for excellent photo opportunities!
