MELAKA: The public will be able to gain insights into the Baba and Nyonya community’s unique culture and dialect at a two-day festival at The Shore shopping complex here on Aug 3 and 4.
Malaysia Baba and Nyonya Association chairman Datuk Ronald Gan (pic) said the festival is being held for the first time here to complement Visit Melaka Year (TMM2024).
“Various activities to showcase the cultural nuances of the community will be organised during the event where the highlight will be on ‘jual-beli pantun’ (buying and selling poetry) and creating interest in Dondang Sayang among the younger generation,” he said on Tuesday (July 30).
Gan said the event would be opened by Deputy National Unity Minister K. Sarawathy and closed by Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
“We were also told that the deputy minister is expected to deliver good news to the community on Aug 3,” he said.
Gan said the festival was first held in Kuala Lumpur last year and the association is inviting locals to witness and understand the rich culture of the community as well as watching children parading in traditional Nyonya Kebaya.
He said the festival is to introduce the essence of the Peranakan culture as many Malaysians are unaware of their unique blend of customs and traditions.
He added that the community origins date back to 15th-century Melaka and there are also Chitty (also known as Indian Peranakans) and the Eurasian Peranakans (of Portuguese-Malay ancestry).
