Baba And Nonya

The Baba House and Peranakan Museum showcase our island's Straits Chinese rich

heritage & culture. The Peranakans are decendents of the early Chinese settlers

who married women living in the Malay Archipelago dating back to the 17th century.

The culture is a amalgamation of Chinese and Malay culture with influences from

colonial days of the Portuguese, Dutch, British and India. Their traditions, customs

and lifestyle encompass clothes, jewelry, beaded slippers, cuisine, porcelain wares,

furniture and poetry. It is a unique blend of culture. A hybrid and melting pot of

practices adapted from their forefathers and assimilated into the indigenous lifestyle.

To view these cultural artefacts and sarong kebayas worn by the Nonyas, Peranakan

Museum is located at 39 Armenian Street. This museum was formerly a Chinese school

built in 1912. After the school moved out to a bigger premises, the building was restored

 and converted to museum to document the history of the Straits Chinese culture in

general. The male descendents are called the Babas and the women, Nonyas while the

elderly females are addressed as Bibiks. 

       

Baba House

   

The Baba house is situated at 157 Neil Road, built in the 1860s. It is now run

by the National University of Singapore's Centre for the Arts. The townhouse

was donated by Agnes Tan, daughter of the late Straits Chinese leader

Tun Tan Cheng Lock. Over here the visitors step into a typical Peranakan

home and see for themself the living spaces of yore. Be enthralled by the

intricate carvings of the partition screen and bedrooms on the second floor.

It also has a gallery on the third floor that host temporary exhibitions.

    

Martha Stewart was actually here at the Baba House. If you have missed this

segment in her show. You can take a tour of the house with her. If you are
interested in old stuff like me, would be glad to hear from you.

Martha Stewart In Singapore
  

                       

                             ~:oxo:~