A Good Read
Being “Dutch” in the East Indies is by Ulbe Bosma and Remco Raben, (Trans.) by Wendie Shaffer. Sale Price: RM 42.00 (available in all good bookshops)
Members might want to read Being “Dutch” in the Indies: A History of Creolisation and Empire, 1500-1920 (NUS Press, 2008). The book is interesting for several reasons. Firstly, it shows the great variety of Indonesia’s Eurasian or “Indo” community. Having rooted themselves in different parts of the Indonesian archipelago, they developed unique features and were influenced by different economic and social systems. Secondly, till 1920, it was this “creole” community who administered the Dutch East Indies Empire (modern day Indonesia). The community was simultaneously regarded as “European” and “native” by the Dutch administrators. They occupied the upper-echelons of their respective local societies. This is a mirror reflection of the position of the Peranakan Chinese in Indonesia. This very engaging history of the “Indo” community shows that identity can be “situational”. Defined by place, economic or administrative roles. But therein lies the weakness of the Indo community. When more Dutch “totoks” (newcomers) arrived and took over administrative positions, the “Indo” community lost their special position as “go-betweens”. Unlike the Peranakan Chinese who fell back on their economic activities, the “Indo” group was relegated to a socially surbodinate position without wealth to cushion that fall. In the end, it is not surprising that many of them joined the nascent Indonesian nationalist movement. This book is recommended to those interested in our own history.
Official Launch of Peranakan Networks website (5 May 2008)
George Town (Penang): Peranakan Networks (www.peranakannetworks.com/blog), the Peranakan resource centre on the web, was launched on Sunday 4 May. YB Mr Ng Wei Aik, State Assemblyman for KOMTAR, did the honours. YB Ng was representing YAB Mr Lim Guan Eng, Penang’s Chief Minister. Mr Ng is also the Penang Chief Minister’s political secretary. In his speech,YB Ng said that the State Government will continue supporting the State Chinese Penang Association especially its cultural and civil society pursuits.
YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Penang’s fourth Chief Minister
SCPA president, Dato’ Seri Khoo Keat Siew, congratulated YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng and the new Penang State Government for their recent electoral success. Dato’ Seri Khoo said that the website would be a bridge connecting SCPA members with the digital world. He also said that the SCPA building will soon be Internet friendly. SCPA members prepared several nyonya dishes for over 100 members and guests who attended the launch.
See: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/5/nation/21151682&sec=nation
Asian Civilisations Museum Opening (26 April 2008)
Singapore: The Asian Civilisations Museum will be officially launching its Peranakan Exhibition aptly called “Mari Buat Lau Jiat” (Come and Celebrate) on 26 April 2008. The Museum will be the first in the world to showcase Peranakan material history and culture.
The Malaysian and Thai delegation attended the launch of the museum in Singapore. (Photograph courtesy of Lee Su Kim)
For more information visit: http://www.acm.org.sg/exhibitions/eventdetail.asp?eventID=356
Continuity and Change at the SCPA (13 April 2008)
George Town (Penang): Dato’ Seri Khoo Keat Siew continues to lead the State Chinese Penang Association (SCPA) at the association’s biannual elections. There were four candidates for two vice president’s positions. Incumbent Dato’ Tan Gin Soon and newcomer,Dr. Neil Khor Jin Keong,were both elected. 13 members offered themselves for ten positions on the committee. The 2008/2010 committee will be meeting to plan new projects on 2 May 2008. Watch this space for updates.
Announcement: Suara Baba Index
Suara Baba, the newsletter of the Peranakan Associations of Penang, Malacca, Singapore, Phuket and Kuala Lumpur is now available on our Resources page. Started in 1991, the newsletter is a chronicle of the activities of the various associations. It also publishes short academic articles and travel narratives.
One day Conference on Peranakan Chinese and Chinese Muslims (24th February, 2008)
Professor Tan Sooi Beng of USM
Penang: The Universiti Sains Malaysia together with the Persatuan Karyawan Pulau Pinang and the Penang State Chinese Association organised the inaugural national conference on Peranakan Chinese and Chinese Muslims. The one day conference was held at Equatorial Hotel in Bukit Jambul, Penang. Professor Emeritus Dato’ Khoo Kay Kim gave the keynote address where he congratulated the organisers for highlighting national issues. 13 papers were presented covering a wide range of topics.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/3/19/north/20673890&sec=North
Dondang Sayang & Chap Goh Meh in Penang (21 February 2007)
George Town (Penang): The Penang State Chinese Association’s Dondang Sayang troupe will be making their annual tour of the city. The places they will be visiting and performing include the New World Park and Evergreen Laurel Hotel. SCPA members will meet at the Penang Cheshire Home (Babington Avenue off Barrack Rd) at 6pm. The dondang sayang troupe will make several stops. The first will be at the junction of Chulia Street and Kapitan Keling Street (Pitt Street). The estimated time of arrival at this first stop is at 7.30 pm.
Photographs courtesy of Star Publications (M) Bhd.
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The 20th Baba Convention (31 Nov – 2 Dec, 2007)
George Town (Penang): For three glorious days, Peranakans from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and their global admirers met in sunny Penang, attending the 20th Baba Convention in George Town, Penang. This year many delegates paid tribute to the Baba who has devoted a lifetime to keeping the convention alive. Dato’ Seri Khoo Keat Siew, the president of the Penang State Chinese Association, was celebrated as a hero of Peranakan culture. In his very pertinent speech to the three hundred delegates, Khoo stressed on the importance of developing new ways of thinking about Peranakan cultural identity, and of finding new ways to connect with the younger generation. Whilst heritage is important, one must not become ossified. Instead, our cultural heritage should be a resource helping us shape our identity in an increasingly globalised world. Speeches were followed by seminars but fun-loving Babas and Nyonyas did not waste time taking to the streets of George Town for a heritage tour, shopping and a wild night of dancing! It is truly amazing that so many demure nyonyas turn into energetic dancing queens when the band struck up popular tunes!
Here are some photographs of the main events that have captured for us our wonderful time together. We are looking forward to our Malacca meeting next year and to more singing by Datuk Phuah, who will be hosting our next meeting.
Links to some newspaper reports on the recent Baba Convention:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/2/nation/19641123&sec=nation
http://thestaronline.com/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/3/nation/19644673&sec=nation
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/2098810/Article/pppull_index_html
Link to an earlier Baba convention in Penang in 2003
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-19801624_ITM
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