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