LITTLE NYONYA

The origins of Baba Nyonya can be traced back to centuries ago when the Chinese emigrants from China to The British Settlement of Malacca, Singapore, Penang and also Java of Indonesia. The Chinese then married the local females and their distinct background, cultures and customs blended together harmoniously and become baba nyonya in Peranakan Culture. Peranakan means descendent in Malay. It is another local term for them. ’Baba’ refers to the male while ‘nyonya’ refers to female. Besides, they are also known as ‘Straits-born Chinese’. This is very unique culture in Penang where Chinese culture is assimilated into Malay customs. During the ancient time, they retained some practices of Chinese Culture but at the same time adapted local Malay traditions in order to minimize the culture shock.