Sunday, April 27, 2008

Peranakan Museum Opens with a Bang!! - Weekend Snapshot #21



I was very excited when the Peranakan Museum opens to the public. I'm thrilled to discover more of the fascinating world of Peranakans, their unique history, colourful fashion, distinctive traditions and aromatic cuisine.

On 26 April 2008, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officially opened the Peranakan Museum, which houses some of the finest and most comprehensive Peranakan collection in displays that trace the main episodes of Peranakan life. It is the first in the world to explore Peranakan cultures in the former Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca and Penang and their links with other Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia.


A Peranakan wedding

First weekend (26-27 April) - Peranakan Heritage
Traditional Peranakan culture and food at the bazaar


Second weekend (3-4 May) - Family Fun Peranakan Style
Sing and dance along to Peranakan songs with your kids, pick up a new skill like speaking Baba Malay or get recipes from a Peranakan chef.

The Festival finale (10-11 May) - Peranakan Fusion, modern influences on Peranakan culture. Highlights of the festival - drama entitled “Babas and Nonyas - Live Drama in the Museum!” by Dick Lee and a fashion parade showcasing the Peranakan style of dressing.

“Junk To Jewels: The Things that Peranakans Value” - This exhibition brings together loans from more than 35 Peranakans featuring everyday objects as well as finely crafted heirlooms and works of art. There is a fascinating personal story behind each exhibit, which provides a glimpse into the world of today’s Peranakans.

The long queue to get into the museum!

Admission to the new Peranakan Museum and Opening Festival for the first weekend will be free, and at a special rate of $2 per person (adult or child) for the second and third weekends.

Wow!!!

So make a date with the Museum and party like a Peranakan!

39 Armenian Street
Singapore 179941

Website www.peranakanmuseum.sg


PS - I got very sick while queuing to enter the museum, so I had to go home. I'll probably be down for a few days. :(







47 comments:

L B said...

Get well soon, ECL.. *too much dribbling?*

L B said...

OMG! I want another hug.. I was First again!

L B said...

I love Peranakan food...

L B said...

Other than that, I am totally clueless..

Andie Summerkiss said...

What is peranakan?

Whatever it is, looks like real fun - the carnival.

ghee said...

very interesting pics!
i love attending festivals,esp those full of cultural exhibitions!and the food!!oh lalala!!hahaha!

ghee

day-dreamer said...

Get well soon!

mama bok said...

Bummer..!! speedy recovery.. and more things to see.. when i come home eh.. :) thanks for the update.. :)

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Great pictures and super descriptions.

Carver said...

Interesting post and photographs. Sounds like a great museum. I'm sorry you are sick and wish you a speedy recovery.

Anna said...

Oh what a nice shot. Great shot thanks for sharing..
Mine is up too:
Every Beat Of My Heart
My Nephew's Scrap Place

JesieBlogJourney said...

Malacca, Singapore and Penang have peranakan heritage. It's great to have such a museum in Singapore. The outfit reminds me of my grandma's clothes. My mom also wore those clothes when she attended weddings. By my generation, I don't have such clothes anymore but I'm an expert in wearing sarongs.

I hope you get better soon.

LZmommy said...

I knew I could see pics for the Peranakan Museum from here :) Thanks!

ECL, get well soon ya...

Napaboaniya said...

I'm half nonya and was told to head there from relatives, but I choose going over to the "cars" lol~
Will probably go down this coming weekend.

alamak you also down arh? I'm getting down too. With sunburns!! *wailz*

Emmyrose said...

Hope I could see that museum.

Get well soon ECL, take care!

Blur Mommy said...

I want Peranakan food! Hope you are feeling better.

eastcoastlife said...

LB,
First again! Twice in a row! Let's celebrate!
*hold hands, dance in circles.... giddy.... *
*hug*

No need to be clueless. tell you more next week. :)

eastcoastlife said...

andie summerkiss,
Peranakan is used to refer to people of mixed ethnic origins.

In Singapore, there are many Peranakan Chinese, they are the descendants of Chinese traders and the local people.

eastcoastlife said...

jesie,
You are a Peranakan! :) Wear a sarong and post the picture on your blog. :)

eastcoastlife said...

lzmommy!
Bring your kids to the museum this weekend. I hope there is less people queuing. It's going to be fun for the kids.

When I'm better, I'll call you for tea. I owe you. :)

eastcoastlife said...

napaboaniya,
Really ah!? Half nonya. hehe....

I'm going this weekend again. I should be well by then. Hope not so many people....

eastcoastlife said...

emmyrose,
You have to visit this museum and see for yourself! It's a truly interesting culture.

tigerfish said...

I love peranankan food! Aiyo...you better don't be down before your trip! Get well soon, ok ?

eastcoastlife said...

Thanks to all for your kind wishes. I'm feeling slightly better... but looking weak and pale. hehe....

People will 'See ghost!' if I step out of the house! hehe....

eastcoastlife said...

tigerfish,
Yep, I have to get well for a grand celebration! Must get well soon.

*drink herbal concoction.... down tablets and empty medicine into mouth.....*

Bela said...

looks like one great place to visit...

Mine is up too. Hope you can check it out.

http://www.womenxplore.com/2008/04/weekend-snapshot-2-snack-time.html

maiylah said...

that's an interesting museum!
get well soon! :)

picturing said...

hope you feeling better soon.

Will you visit mine Thanks

Juliana RW said...

Nice shot and lots of info also :D

get well soon.

Please check out mine Thanks

Mar said...

This is absolutely new to me and again, something I get to learn only through blogging :)
Thanks for the link, ECL, and hope you are feeling better.

Mar said...

Forgot to say happy ws, mine is posted here

Pinay Jade said...

Oh Wow!I love the Peranakan culture,we just saw the Peranakan Museum in Malacca recently but more in a rush because we only had a few days there. I would definitely visit the coming weekend!

Get well soon!

Heart of Rachel said...

I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for sharing about this interesting museum opening. Seems like a fun-filled event with so many wonderful things to see.

cabekritingdailyphoto said...

better go there on my next trip to singapore? :)

WS said...

this is very interesting!

get well soon...

SandyCarlson said...

These are amazing photos. Thanks for teaching me about this group!

oceanskies79 said...

Hope you will get well soon. You have a grand occasion coming right?

Thanks for the photos of the Peranakan wedding procession. I suppose you went on Sunday? It's quite interesting to see how the Chinese Peranakans combine elements from Malay and Chinese culture in its wedding procession. :)

It seems like a very very long queue to enter the museum. I will probably check it out again when there is no crowd.

Doreen said...

I want that Peranakan dress! So sexy!

angeles said...

alamak... fell ill ah? dribble too much, hor... hehe...

get well soon! we wanna go horniday!!! ;-)

Kat's Krackerbox said...

Looks like a lot of fun! Do get well soon. :-)

The Author said...

It must be nice to be in that kind of festival. Looks like lot of fun!

Happy WS!

julie said...

Looks like a fun place to be,ECL.

Have a great week :)

My WS:
Blog Events

Blog Events in the Metro

yvelle said...

what a great weekend! so nice to see a traditional gathering like this. have a great week ahead!

http://biancaelyse-mylife.blogspot.com/2008/04/weekend-snapshop.html

mousey said...

hope your fine now.

that is an interesting post!

happy tuesday!

SabineM said...

fabulous photos!
I hope you feel better soon! I was sick for two weeks and I am JUST NOW feeling better. I wish you good health!

Wilfrid said...

Oh ... btw ... Cynthia and I love the Peranakan food ... especially the one at Katong :)

Simple American said...

Is the Peranakan an indigenous people or term for some who immigrated to Singapore. Curious to learn.

Hope you are well too. Wishing you the best and good health.