Hi chels -- I thought I am the only one who thinks exactly when this compulsory deduction was first announced. Many moons ago, like back in the mid 90s? Or somesuch?

Anyways. I approached my HR to tell them about opting out which I ain't sure if anyone is allowed to now. Anyway, the kurang hajar HR Manager queried me, "You are *Chinese* what, why you want to opt out?"

Ah yes, I was seen as a traitor huh? So I replied, "I am a Peranakan, so I don't see any relevance whatsoever. Just because I have a Chinese name so bo pian ah?"

HR Manager: "Ah, um... you have to fill in many forms and then explain why you want to opt out."

%*@#$!!!!

So unless the Peranakan Association can come up with a water-tight case as to why, what and how -- including write-ins and support from each and every Peranakan, which I doubt -- I do not think we would be allowed to change or even have the option to do so.

Best wishes
Betul-baba?

Hi Betul_Baba

I do not understand... we Peranakans are still Chinese in the end.  Just that our ancestors stayed here for so long, we adopted new cultures new lifestyles.  Even in WWI and WWII, it is our peranakan forefathers donating money back to China, supporting the war by donating airplanes etc. 

Of course it would be great that the CDAC fund we paying now could be directed to the peranakan association to promote the culture. but sadly to say till to date, there is none so far.  If you really want to opt out the CDAC, all you need to do is to call CDAC to request for a opt-out form and fill it up and fax it back to CDAC or send back by mail.  After one month processing, they would allow you to request your HR department to opt out paying the CDAC fund.

Rgds

Jyun

Hi Jyun -- Much appreciate your taking some time out to write, and the enlightenment about the opting out. However, I omit to add that the episode I shared below happened back in the mid or early 90s when the CDAC contribution was first implemented.

I am now self-employed, and thus free from contributing to CDAC. Again, thank you.

However, I do take issue with you on the part that "we are still Chinese" and that our ancestors adopted and assimilated into the native SE Asian cultures. Perhaps you care to enlighten me where you got your information from? A bunch of Pro-Chinese writers I surmise?

Just because some rich Peranakans helped China during the Wars, that does not indicate obligatory blood ties. They could be doing it for philanthropy reasons. Not necessarily "blood thicker than water".

Besides, was it not back in the 19th century that Chinamen were seen as suitors for wealthy Babas' daughters? Especially so here in Singapore? When the port was opened for trading by the Brits? And because these same Chinamen came by the junkloads or sampans to seek opportunities?

I have many people throughout the years telling me that I look mixed. And so are some of my Peranakan friends who have darker complexions, and some have some Malay features. Except of course by our "pure" Chinese friends who cannot tell the difference.

It takes a Baba or a Nyonya to recognise another right away. Just like how us Singaporeans can instantly recognise/sniff out fellow Singaporeans overseas. Without our opening our mouths. Or wielding the bottles of Ketchup or Chilli sauce.

But of course according to our Chinese friends' logic, if we were part Malay as claimed, how come we are not Muslims?? Yes, but were religions strictly enforced back in those days like today? Ever heard of other non-Muslim Malay peoples like the Bataks??

So [b]Malay = Muslim[/b]?? Like how everyone asked me how come I never celebrate Hari Raya?? The best part is their eyes started to glaze when I have not even reached the part about Bataks, the Jakuns et al.

How one-track-mind can some people be?

Even my own mother is mistaken either for Malay or a Grago/Serani -- that is the *Original* [Melaka Portuguese/Dutch] Eurasian for you. As opposed to today's modern Half-Breeds who cannot even string a decent sentence in English.  Even my late friend who passed away at a very young age, the shape of her nose pointed to a Dayak bloodline.

Just in case anyone is wondering what the hell is a Dayak, go google Sarawak / Sabah Indigenous tribes.

Talk of which, how do you define the Seranis then since they have an angmoh name? Do you categorise them as **Europeans** then? After all they are Catholic/Christian, jiak kantang and have ang moh names.

Are we for sure there is NO INTERMINGLING OR INTERMARRIAGE WHATSOEVER throughout the centuries/decades amongst the different Peranakan communities in Melaka and between us and Java's? Or even Medan's or Banka Island's [where the hey is that?]??

Just because our Malay/Siamese/Indian/whatever bloodline diluted throughout the years, and us taking on a Chinese appearance, that does not mean we can deny the existence of these heritage.

Let me share with you some fascinating insight by way of an English Anthropologist who spent 3 years in Java. Before her 3-month stint here at NUS.

She was taken aback by the similarities between the Chinese Peranakan and Dutch-Peranakan cultures over there and ours here. that is all the three Straits Settlements.  I had the pleasure of making her acquaintance at the weekend opening of the Peranakan Museum.

Looking at me, and those huge portraits displayed on the ground floor of the various Peranakan folks from the region, she remarked: "You all cannot deny YOUR **MALAY** BLOODLINE".

Like I said, she is English, an Anthropologist [yes, that is certainly more than 3 syllables], and speaks very fluent Bahasa Indonesia. Even with the Javanese accent down pat. That certainly put ME A NYONYA to shame. And I am sure she certainly knew what she is talking about.

I would be happy to divulge her name  for clarification purposes to anyone who doubt my account. I am also happy to clarify what the study of Anthropology is all about to anyone who seeks such clarification. Alternatively, there is Google for those Web-"savvy" types.

In short yes, do not EVER insult me by calling me *Chinese*. By virtue of my name or appearance.

Best wishes
Betul-baba?

Dear Betul_baba,

The topic on mixed heritage is a very interesting but complex one. As of today nobody can completely prove that we either have Malay ancestry or that we are of pure Chinese blood which have successfully assimilated and adopted the native culture, a kind of evolution.

Many children of mixed marriages today (eg) Chinese mothers and Malay fathers, or Malay mothers and Chinese fathers, happily call themselves Baba or Peranakan. But think again ... Are they one of us, Babas? They are muslims and have Malay names and do not celebrate any Chinese festivals. They have a totally different culture from us. Such mixed-blood do not qualify as Babas and Nonyas.

Till today, there is no Baba who can identify a Malay foremother in our ancestry line. However, we can identify a Chinese or a Nonya foremother anytime! If you ask any old bibik or wakwak if she is half-Malay, she will definitely give you a tongue-trashing if not a knock on the head :P

It is still very much a grey area that needs more study and more scientific and historical evidences. The Dutch colonalist who had no Malay blood in them, dress in sarong and kebaya, chewed the sireh, spoke Malay/Indonesian. They have assimilated themselves into the native culture. Could we also have been like them? Pure Chinese but assimilated into the native culture? It's always possible.

Cheers!
Bunga_Telang

Hi Bunga Telang,

I feel so happy and excited each time you put up a view from your own thinking.  It really sometimes let me think further and I really enjoy it.  I hope my replies would also be a good discussion to you too.

I understand how you felt.  Especially it seems you went through the "discrimination" during your time.  It is really a shame as back then I do not think in our social studies education ever teach us about our group "The Peranakans".  I felt it could be this "insufficient" information being taught that people had this early discrimination on us like what you describe.  But now is no longer different from last time.  Its because now education had brought about information to younger generations in other ethnic groups about us more frequent. It is often lack of information that bring about misunderstandings.  So I really hope with the information flow about us brought into the social studies education would improve people's impression on us.

For your views of "children of mixed marriages today (eg) Chinese mothers and Malay fathers, or Malay mothers and Chinese fathers, happily call themselves Baba or Peranakan. Are they one of us, Babas?"

In Malay context, these group of children of mixed marriages are often classed as "Peranakan".  It is often this definition it created a confusion from our community.  That is why, sometimes, I personally do not like to use "Peranakan" for discussion to people who do not know alot about us.  But rather call fellow peranakans - Babas, Nonyas or Straits Born Chinese.  I do not know if you have this sentiments too or not.

Actually, for peranakan chinese, it doesn't mean that it is intermarriages between malay and chinese.  I ever read a book on Peranakan Embroidery.  The book explained something similar about the peranakan chinese and the dutch you mentioned.  The book wrote Chinese assimilating into the peranakan chinese for few generations are also considered peranakan chinese too.  So it doesn't mean we had to be intermarried with malays sometimes.

Rgds,

Jyun

Hi bunga,
I do mix with a lot of mainland Chinese and there is a big range of stereotypes there from the 100% looking Chinese of Beijing, very fair and tall and never mistake them to the darker Southerners who look like me and are shorter and more of the Hokkien type. The Cantonese are quite fair too and shorter , but somewhere along the way in China's very long history, the dailect groups have merged together and mixed so that it is not so easy to say who is what and where they came from. Of course the main Chinese type is HAN in China, so don't ever say they are not or you get a hit on the head and more. However, there are many who do have traces of Manchurian or Mongolian or even Korean and Japanese looks, even Tibetan and Turkish too. For the Peranakans, we do seem a bit darker than the mainline Beijingnese, Cantonese, Hokkiens and Teochews so they say, but that does not mean that we are a mixed race with other races just because we happen to be a bit darker and do not have the so-called pure Chinese looking faces like those found in the North of China. You know, there have been some studies done featuring in such things like the shapes of heads, noses, faces, mouths, eyes and eye colours, height, body shapes and hair colour? Its funny that many people in China have been taken to be Korean or Japanese or Manchurian in picture guessing competitions when they are really pure Han Chinese as far as their family history is concerned? I have been trying to trace my Chinese ancestry as far back as the original TAN (CHEN)Dynasty kings and thats possible you know? Will take some time before I find my blueblood, ha ha ha.

Dear Jyun,

Take a look at you and me in the modern day and age ...
We wear the Western Shirts and Dresses, and speak English.
We eat Western meals and fast-food.
Does that mean that we have Caucasian blood in us?
We are assimilated into the Western culture.

Now, compare this with Nonyas wearing the sarong and kebaya.
Do we neccesarily have Malay blood?
Probably we assimilated the Malay culture in the same way back in the old days.

I will usually use the term Babas and Nonyas as I think this is the most accurate term. When we mention Peranakan, we must say Pernakan Cina, to be more accurate. However, when we say Peranakan Cina in today's context, it becomes strange. Aren't every Singapore or Malaysia borned Chinese considered a "Peranakan Cina", since everyone is a local-born Chinese?

Even the use of "Straits Chinese" is inaccurate. Firstly, there are widespread Baba cultures in places like Indonesia and parts of Thailand and Burma. They are not even part of the Straits Settlement of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. Moreover, the term is obsolete as the Straits Settlement has been non-existent since WW-2.

Dear Betul_Baba,

It's interesting that you mentioned Jakun. Now, the use of the word "Jakun" in the Baba context is very degratory. We often use this term to scold someone and call him an idiot or and imbicile. Not a very nice thing to do. Assuming the Babas have Malay blood, it is very unlikely they were from this stock of Malay minority group.

Cheers!
Bunga_Telang

Dear Jyun,

I am glad that you enjoyed the discussions with me.

Perhaps, we can meet in person over tea when we both have the time.

Make sure you prepare your delicious kueh chang to go with the tea.
Hahaha :)

It's always a joy to chat with you!

Cheers!
Bunga_Telang

Hi,

That is why I always preferred to use the terms "Babas and Nonyas" more than the term "peranakan".  It creates confusion to many.  Using the term "Peranakan cina" helped improved the situation but like what Bunga Telang said, all chinese borned in Malaysia and Singapore falls in this category. 

For the intermarriages,  frankly speaking I had spoken with some peranakan folks that some of them were only able to trace their family tree as far back as around the 1900s only.  And I am unsure if you concurr with my thinking - I do not think... marrying malays would be common around that period as I felt most malays were muslims and they would strongly want all outsiders to convert into islam.

Rgds,

Jyun

Hi Jyun,

Many Peranakan families do not keep very good records of their ancestries. Thus, most of them are only able to trace back to 3 or 4 generations, up to the late 1800s.

For those who could trace their ancestries from the early 1800s, you will often find the portraits of the matriachs in Ming-style Chinese costumes, indicating a probability that she originated from mainland China. It is only in portraits from the late 1800s that you will notice the matriachs wearing the baju panjang. So it is highly likely that certain groups of female Chinese evolved to wearing the baju panjang. This is just my observation and have not been proven.

Thus, the Peranakan culture that we know of today is fairly new, say within 200 years.

There is no denying that the Chinese had settled in Southeast asia for more than 500 years, but their identity as Peranakan only came along much later. The early Chinese settlers could be very much Chinese in traditions, practices and clothings.

As for the possibility of having Malay blood, it is always possible but it could have happened during a much earlier era before Islam became a widespread religion in the Malay world. Prior to that, a great number were Hindus and pagan-belivers. Islam requires the conversion of the Chinese spouse to Islam. So, it is not possible that the Chinese Peranakans are the product of such unions, at least not when the Malays are Muslims.

Cheers!
Bunga_Telang

Hi all -- I am off to the airport soon for a short work trip. And had some time to scan through your thoughts. To which I much appreciate.

Bunga_telang: Indeed, when I was but a wee child, I was often scolded by my mum, great-gran:
"macham orang jakun! blah blah blah."

I apologise if you already knew, but here is a brief background about who the Jakuns really are. Does not take much to put two and two together how the word Jakun became a derogatory term, isn't it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakuns

Anything is possible. Perhaps anyone of you could enlighten me how come there are a few Babas/Nyonyas have a reddish-brown tint to their hair? My late great-granny used to lament to me:
"lu nya rambut merah sekali"

And she had to buy some "evening in paris" [??] or somesuch hair oil from the mamak shop to "blacken" my hair.

Well Chinese assimilated -- if I have the time some day I could regale you all about the Chinese-Mestizos and Mestizas of the Philippines. Who apparently did not deny their "Malay" ancestry that they can trace around the same time as other Chinese communities that were established in Java and elsewhere around the region. 15th CEntury thereabouts.

Coincidentally enough, this Chinese aspect is Hokkien mostly. In fact, they had a clear distinction between the Sangleys [ie: the Chinese Mestizos/Mestizas] and the "assimilated" ones called Tsinoy. Or something like that.

By the way, Bunga, I had seen some old pictures many moons ago off a library books or somesuch and a few occasions of Portuguese Eurasian/Serani ladies wearing the baju panjang and sanggul similar to our style. When I mentioned this to my family, I was told intermarriages were common between them and us. As well as between us and the Chitty Melakas.

However, their sanggul were bunned in a different way so as to distinguish them from the Babas and Nyonyas.  Talk of which, apologies if anyone already knew, a Malaysian website threw up an interesting nugget about the origin of the sanggul Nyonya -- a mixture of Burmese and Javanese influence.

And Bibiks of old used to wear a garland of Jasmine flowers around the sanggul too -- that is the influence of Thais or Hindus or something.

The mind boggles. But if it is *purely* assimilation for the Peranakan Cina, then surely, there could only be not so much assimilation and varied influences from the region?

Talk of which, the Nyonya tali pinggang -- I chanced upon similar at the Empress Place Museum once moons ago on a Siamese and Burmese costumes of centuries ago. I need not go on about my shocked discovery upon close inspection.

Again, purely assimilation? How much can we a community as a whole if claimed *full-blooded* Chinese community assimilated?

Pardon me, but let me be brutal and blunt. Which particular race does not want to keep their bloodline pure? Instead of being tainted with foreign elements? I can name three particular races -- dare I utter the word "RACISTS"? -- who would revolt at the mere suggestion/hint of a possible foreign blood:
1. Ang mohs -- some individuals threatened to sue some DNA company or three who had evidence they have African ancestry -- known racists all of them. Hahaa :D
2. Chinese
3. Arabs

Something to chew on perhaps?

Best wishes
Betul-baba?

Dear Betul_Baba,

The possibility of a Malay female ancestor can happen only before the Malay community fully embraced Islam. Otherwise, the present-day Babas would have been Muslims. Moveover, old Baba families who could trace their lineage from the early 1800s or late 1700s, did not record having any Malay ancestors, but they did record Chinese male ancestors marrying female Nyonyas.

Although there are a few who can trace their roots from 1700s, many Baba families could trace their ancestors from 1850s onwards, when the Taiping Rebellion forced thousands of Chinese to migrate throughout the world as China was in shambles.

Moreover, many historical artefacts from the Baba households and even buildings can be dated from late 1700s onwards. Whatever evidence earlier than the late 1700s have been obscured through time.

It is very likely that most of today's Babas are the product of the migrant population from the late 1700s onwards, and not the direct decendants of the Chinese population from the 15th or 16th century. We do not know if there were Chinese that setup permanent residences here during the 15th or 16th century. They could be seasonal traders stayed on till the next monsoon that brought them back to China. It is also likely that they most did not take local wives, considering the short duration of their stay. However, a few who decided to stay on longer, might have taken Malay wives as the population of Chinese females were negligible if not non-existent.

When we look at the traditional wedding costumes, the bridal costumes were invariably Chinese. Indicating that the original female ancestors were Chinese. Even early ancestral portraits of the matriachs similarly suggested this, since they wore Chinese costumes. It was only later, likely out of practicality that they adopted the Malay baju to suit the climate here.

Many present-day Babas claim that they are 5th or 7th generation Peranakans, but I have yet to know of anyone who claims to be a 15th generation Peranakan, assuming each gneration is about 20 years considering that the people marry in their teens in the old days.

Again, I am not saying that we do not have Malay blood but it is interesting to question the other possibilities ... :)

As for mixed marriages between the Babas and the Serani and Chitty, I have a few examples in my extended families that occured in the early 1900s. I guess we are very comfortable with their cultures since we share many similarities.

Cheers!
Bunga_Telang