CULTURE OF MALACCA

CULTURE

Throughout the passage of time, Melaka`s socio-culture has blossomed with diversity, continuity, nationalism, racial integration and subliminal harmony. Melaka today is a glorious cosmopolitan steeped in rich culture and tradition.

The Malays

The majority of Melaka people`s are the Malays and they usually live in villages as tight knit communities. They speak Malay, practice Islam and bear Arabic names and are steeped with traditions.

Malays

The Chinese

The second largest community is the Chinese. Synonyms with business and entrepreneurship, the Chinese are usually predominant in the cities. Despite passage of time and proress this race comprising of the various dialect groups such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese retain their legacies and still practice their various traditional festivities and religious rites.

Chinese

The Indians

The Indians make up another important ethnic group Melaka. Deepavali is the main celebration of the Hindu Indians and Thaipusam being their religious event with several rituals including a procession from one temple to another.

The Indians

The Baba-Nyonyas / Peranakan

Malacca is also where the Babas and Nyonyas or Peranakan originate. They are descendants of the Chinese who arrive in Melaka and married locals. They retain many Chinese customs but Malay is their mother-tongue. They have adopted the Malay-style of style of dressing.

Baba & Nyonya

The Chittys

The Melakan chitty are strait-born Indian and offsprings of Indian traders who came from Panai Koromandel in India. This unique communities is the descendants of early india merchant who come here sometime during 15^th century. They practice hindu faith, speak Malay, food is typical Indian and they practice the traditional Indian wedding ceremony. The chitty women wears `sarung` just like the Nyoyas and traditional Malay women.

The Chitty

The Portuguese

During the Portuguese rule, many of them choose to remain in Malacca and since 1920, preferred to live in the Portuguese settlement. They speak ancient Portuguese Dialect called Cristo. They still practice their aged old festivals and customs. Besides Christmas they also celebrate the San Pedro in commemoration of their patron saint.

Tranquerah Mosque

It is located on the right-hand side of jalan Tengkera and is one of the oldest mosques in the state, believed to the built in the 1750s. It underwent repair works in the 1950s. It is said that this mosque bears resemblance to the Demak Mosque in Indonesia and the kampong Laut Mosque in Kelantan. The Tranquerah Mosque used to be the state`s official mosque then. It has been gazette under National Heritage Act 2005.

Tranquerah Mosque

The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

The public can now view the heirloom unique to this heritage at the baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum run by the Babas and Nyonyas of Melaka.

 

Baba & Nyonya Museum

Mini Malaysia & Asean Cultural park

Located in Ayer Keroh, this unique theme park was conceived as a summary of the prominent cultural elements of 13 states in Malaysia and southeast Asian countries. Visitor can catch a glimpse of each country`s history and cultural based on traditional homes in each Asean countries including the architectural style of the 13 states in Malaysia and furnished with various items such as arts and crafts which depict the culture of each state and countries. Apart from it, there are cultural performances and traditional games for the visitors.

 

Mini Malaysia

Jonker Walk

Jonker Walk is well known for its art galleries, antique shops, among them goldsmiths, watch repairers, clog makers and beaded shoemaker, food outlets and many more. It is truly a place where the culture and traditions of Malacca seem to seep fromevery nook and cranny of the quaint little shos which line this street. The street becomes a flea market for antique lovers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6pm to midnight.

 

Jonker Walk

Chitty Museum

The Chitty Museum is the effort made by chitty`s community to document and preserved their unique heritage.

 

The Chitty Museum

Visit Malaysia 2014

 Celebrating 1 Malaysia Truly Asia

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 is the nation's biggest and grandest tourism celebration with Malaysia Truly Asia's endless wonders of events, festivals and activities all-year round. This is the perfect time to see, feel and experience Malaysia!

By: Hang Ammar

TOP 16 HISTORY PLACE MUST VISIT..

TOP 16 HISTORY PLACE IN MALACCA!

1) Melaka Tree

The state of Melaka is named after this tree. Only a few trees are left; two are in front of the Porta de Santiago and another two are in front of stadthuys.

Melaka Tree

2) Replica of the Melaka`s Sultanate Palace

The Melaka Sultanate Palace is a replica of a Sultan`s palace during the period of the Melaka Sultanate. Apart from the unique building design and ornate wood carvings, visitors would also be able to gain insights into the institution of the Melaka Malay Sultanate and experience a true palace atmosphere.

Opening Hours: 9.00am- 5.00pm / Daily

Tel: 06-2826526 / 7464

Replica of the Melaka`s Sultanate Palace

3) Replica of the Flor De Lamar

Situated on  Jalan Merdeka near the estuary of Melaka River. Showcase the history of seafaring in Melaka as well as the spread of Melaka`s commercial influence from the Malay Sultanate. Built in 1990 and is itself a replica of Portuguese galleon, the ‘Flor de la Mar’

Opening Hours: 9.00am-5.31pm / Monday-Thursday

Opening Hours: 9.00am-9.00pm / Friday-Sunday

Admission Fee: Adult RM3.00, Children RM0.50

Tel: 06-2826526 / 7464

Replica of the Flor De Mar

4) Porta De Santiago

A Prominent landmark in Melaka was built by the Portuguese admiral, Alfonso d`albuqurque during the Portuguese invasion in 1511.

Admission is FREE.

Porta De Santiago

5) Ruins of the St. Paul`s Church

The Church was built on a hill in 1521 by Duarte Coelho, a catholic Portuguese captain.

Admission is FREE.

Ruins of the St. Paul Church

6) Proclamation of Independence Memorial

Next to Porta De Santiago is the Proclaimation of independence Memorial. The Proclaimation of Malaya`s independence was made by Malaysia`s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj at Padang Pahlawan or Warrior`s Field. This memorial houses invaluable exhibits of the country`s struggle leading to independence. Exhibits include relics, manuscripts, video tapes, films and slides

Opening Hours: 9.00am-5.00pm / weekends, Public Holiday & School Holiday (Closed on Monday)

Proclamation of Independence Memorial

7) Stadthuys Museum Complex

The Stadhuuys, or city hall was built between 1641 and 1656 is the oldest still existing VOC building in Asia.It was used as the Governer`s residence

Opening Hours : 9.00am-5.30pm / Monday-Thursday

                              9.00am-9.00pm / Friday-Sunday

Admission Fee: Adult RM5.00, Children RM2.00

Tel: 06-2826526 / 7464

Stadhuys Museum Complex

8) Christ Church

This oldest Protestant Church in Malaysia took 12 years to build by the Dutch in 1753. It has 8 foots long ceiling beams, which are cut in one piece and constructed without any joints. The handmade pews are definitely original which date 200 years back.

Christ Church

9)  Hang Li Poh`s Well

Built in 1459 under the royal command of Sultan Mansor Shah for Hang Li Poh (the Chinese Princess who married the sultan), the well never runs dry up and was the only source of water supply during great droughts. The Dutch enclosed it with stout walls in 1677 to maintain its ultimate into a wishing well and it is said that those who throw coins into it will return to Melaka time and again.

Hang Li Poh`s Well

10) Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple

Being the oldest Hindu Temple In Malaysia, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple is dedicated to lord Vinayagar or Ganesha, the deity revered for his wisdom and ability to remove obstacle so one could accomplish one`s desire or goal. It is interesting to note the Dutch influence in the architecture of the temple and this can be seen in the details and finishing of the entrance, walls, columns, valuated domes and roof tiling.

Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple

11) Villa Sentosa

One of the houses in Kampung Morten which has been converted into a private museum for visitors to experience the ambience of a village house. It was built in 1920 by Tuan Haji Hashim bin Dato` Demang Haji Abdul Ghani, a pioneer of the Kampung Morten. The house is filled with the essential and collectibles of the owners.

Tel: 016-6198244 / 016-6326650

Villa Sentosa

12) Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

Cheng Hoon Temple, or known as the Green clouds Temple, located on Jalan Tokong orr Harmonius street, near Jonker street. Colourful stalls clustered around the entrance of the temple selling candles, josspaper and aromatic joss-sticks required by devotees performing prayer rites that have been handed down from generation to generation, since the Chinese first settled in Melaka.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

13) Hang Tuah Maosoleum

Hang Tuah was the second most skillful and famous of the band of five warriors. Hang Jebat was unceremoniously killed by Hang Tuah in a duel of honor that lasted 3 days and 3 nights. He ran amok after suffering a fatal wound from Hang Tuah`s dagger ‘Keris Taming Sari’. His mausoleum is in the old town of Melaka at Jalan Hang Jebat near the Jonker Street. The exact age of the grave is not known but its Achehnese design show that Jebat was given a warriors`s burial despite his murderous rampage and inglorious death at the palace.

Hang Tuah Mausoleum

14) Kampung Hulu Mosque

Built in 1728 by Dato` Shamsuddin, it is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia. Its unique architectural style is not traceable to others in the country.

Kampung Hulu Mosque

15) The Melaka Sultanate Watermill

The Melaka Sultanate Watermill was built in the late 2007 and complete by March 2008. It has been recorded as the first and the largest watermill ever in Malaysia. The structures are based from the Islamic technology which can be found in Syria as also from Lijiang, China.

The Melaka Sultanate Watermill

16) Bullock cart

Once they were used as a means of transporting people and goods; bullock cats gave way to modern vehicles. A distinct feature of the Melaka bullocks cats it is pointed roof in the shape of a bull`s horn accompanied by trappings and colors. This ride can be found outside the Museum of Aborigines: A ride costs RM 10 per cart.

This ride can be found hundred meters away from the botanical garden.

Bullock Cart

 By : Hang Ammar

So What are You Waiting for? Let`s Go To Malacca!

WELCOME TO MELAKA "WORLD HERITAGE CITY UNESCO"

Melaka`s attraction lies in its rich and colorful past. Melaka has renowned as the place where the history of Malaysia began. From a quiet fishing village back in early 15th century, Melaka grew into one of the world`s greatest empires. In the 16th century, Melaka`s gained reputation as the foremost maritime trading centre in the region. Merchants come from as far as Arabia, China, India and Europe to conduct trade in silk, spices, gold and porcelain.

Today, there`s a lot more to Melaka; in addition to its fascinating stories, legends and historical attractions. Centuries of multi-racial living cultures have produced varied customs, festival, food and languages. Melaka is located in Peninsular Malaysia, facing the Melaka straits and covers an area of 1658sq.km, which divided into three district namely Alor Gajah, Melaka Tengah and Jasin.

"Visit Historic Melaka Means Visit Malaysia", as its chosen slogan, Melaka has so much to offer and become the melting pot of all races. From its historical heritage site to cultural richness. The inception of Melaka as the Historic Cities of Straits of Melaka, together with Georgetown, on 7th July 2008 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has demonstrated a succession of its historical and cultural ascendancy as a trading part linking from the East to West.

melaka raya

Taman Melaka Raya
Taman Melaka Raya in Banda Hilir, or better known as Melaka Raya, were well known as the golden triangle because it is the location of the main banking institutions, private offices, hotels and lodging, and shopping centers.

Melaka Raya is also quite well-known to tourists or backpacker who wants to stay in a budget hotel or a surrogate home. Range trips to tourist places not too far away.

So, for those of you who want to Malacca and have a low budget to stay,weI recommend to you to the Melaka Raya. Because there you have many options for accommodation enough money in your pockets.

the unique of masjid tengkera

The second oldest mosque in Malacca was the Lamb which is located on the right side of Sheep Street name taken in conjunction with the county name Tenquerah by the Portuguese in Malacca .

The original building is believed to be built around 1750 's and was repaired in the 1850s. The mosque is a traditional architectural features architectural mix of Malacca and Sumatra and China .

This mosque has a little different because it has three layers of roof veranda roof , roof dome and roof worship space .

At the front of the mosque is lined with stone walls and porcelain decorated lattice gates decorated with calligraphy carved and shaped like a pagoda roof .

There is also a stone tower with a roof of clay around the bottom . Another state's oldest mosque is Masjid Peringgit .

Originally it was built in Peringgit Hill in 1726 , but it was destroyed by war. Later it was rebuilt in 1868 in the same place .

The mosque is unique because a square , while construction materials consisting of laterite stone and terra cotta bricks which existed during the Dutch as the foundation and walls .

In 1978 , the state government has made additional work on the back of the mosque with a fade concrete stairway leading , wells and ponds.

products from malacca : Belacan

Belacan Melaka
Over the past 20 years, the name Klebang coast, here as if it is synonymous with tourists and the local community as a sale cencaluk and shrimp paste, a traditional Malacca's famous food.

The existence of more than 16 stalls selling cencaluk and shrimp paste until the start of the Great Klebang Tanjung Kling is making food products as a 'must buy' if visiting the area. If you are in Malacca, head to the beach and make sure the shrimp paste Malacca Klebang brought back together.