|
Written by Shirley T
|
|
Thursday, 30 July 2009 05:07 |
 Visiting here? MyWiseWife can help you find hotels in cities near to this location. Click your preferred city below to search and book your stay. |
Remember that I did a review on Little Nyonya - the Singapore blockbuster drama serial starring Jeanette Aw as an entrepreneur Nyonya not too long ago? If you are a fan of Little Nyonya (like me!), take a visit to Pinang Peranakan Mansion! Stepping in this place and get the feel like the crews. As I arrived at the entrance, the pale green facade seems familiar. Yes, many scenes in Little Nyonya were made here as Chen's family house.
At the gate of this historic mansion, there are a pair of metal crowns to welcome us. The crowns signify the glory of British era in Penang. I was impressed with the grand balcony of a Straits eclectic design. The pillars resembled a European influence whereas the gold colored floral designed iron arts of the balcony looks similar to Malays crafting. This rich Baba home has faithfully stood here since late 19th century and managed through many hands!
Compiling almost everything a typical Peranakan family house used to have, Pinang Peranakan Mansion or formerly known as 'Hai Kee Chan' is tucked away in Church Street of the George Town Heritage Zone. This mansion symbolizes the legacies of Peranakan and herald the preservation of one-of-its kind architecture.
Baba Nyonya or Peranakan is a term used to describe the descendants of 15th or 16th century Chinese immigrants to Nusantara during the colonial era. With the current population about 7 million, they are mainly dispersed in the region of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Record stated that the Chinese immigrants back then married the local Malays women and as a result this community is more or less adopting or assimilating into the local cultures especially in their dressing, cooking and language. However, the Peranakans do worship their ancestral and common faiths are Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism or Confucianism. Some younger generations of Peranakan have also embraced Christianity resulted from English education.
At present, this ethnic group is almost reaching the vulnerable stage, whereby modernization does not go hand in hand with Peranakan style of living anymore! In fact, very few Peranakan communities in Penang, Malacca or Singapore do retain their lifestyle and even identity. Nowadays, they are usually mistakenly referred as Malaysian Chinese or Singaporean Chinese instead!
Coming back to Pinang Peranakan Mansion, this building was once served as he residence and office of Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee. The architecture of this building is very unique as it incorporates Chinese carved-wood panels with English floor tiles and Scottish iron-works.
As I strolled inside, there is a square concrete bowl that is overlooking the sky. There is no roof so it is exposed to both rain and sun. With sun, the nearby vicinity is brighten under natural light. And as rain pouring, it works to trap the water and funnel to the underneath drainage.
The wing that is closer to the main road (Church Street) is designed for business discussion among the gentlemen. While the smaller chamber beside is the lady's room whereby the Nyonyas were playing cherki (card game) and enjoyed eating betel nut.
Of the opposite end, it is the guest dining hall whereby 'tok panjang' is situated. Tok panjang or literally translated as 'long table' is used by the Peranakan family to prepare feast for their guests. For English group, the rich Baba would usually prepare a special room with European cutlery, teapot set and dining style.
As I climbed up the lovely wooden stairs, it leads me to the upper floor whereby all the antiques are on displayed. They includes a huge vintage standing camera, brooches (keronsang), hair pins (cucuk sanggul), covered jars (kamcheng), metal belts, gold bracelets and many other woman accessories.
Do not miss to visit some of the chambers that features the traditional bridal room, various vanity tables and sewing room whereby the Nyonya long shirts (baju panjang), embroideries and beaded shoes (kasut manik) are displayed.
That's not about it. Kitchen is a must in every Peranakan family as all the nyonyas were the culinary experts before marriage. In this mansion, its kitchen is relatively the biggest compares to most Penangites' kitchen area. From making dishes to desserts, they had every mold and tool to serve the best delicacy!
I personally would not called this place a mansion, it deserves the name as Pinang Peranakan Museum. Each item in this mansion speaks for itself. You have to come and see by yourself this amazing heritage!
Visiting hours: Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: Adult: RM6 & free for children below 6 years old (subject to change without notice)
Address:
29 Church Street,
10200 George Town,
Penang, Malaysia.
Telephone: +60-4-2642929
Fax: +60-4-2641929
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
;
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my/
Getting there? Click here for Google Map
Did not find what you are looking for? Do a search...
(Type what you are looking for in the textbox below)
If you are looking to stay at this place you may try find your hotels in Penang
Trackback(0)
 |
|
|
Highlights...
Flower Arrangement Series
Like flowers, want to get creative? Step by step with images on how to design what you always wanted.
Thailand Adventures
Need itinerary of a week? Attractions in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Floating Market, Kanchanaburi...
Big Bend US National Park (Texas)
From canyons, rivers, basins to mountains, a journey into wilderness!
Spring in Tokyo
Hanami and Sakura at Ueno, Akibahara, Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple, Ameyoko Shopping Street...
The Best of Taipei
Our stories at Yangmingshan, Yehliu, Keelung, Jinshan, Danshui, Taipei...
Live, Do, Eat, Sleep in Texas
4 Seasons experience in The Lone Star state; hopping Austin, Blanco, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fredericksberg, Houston, New Braunfels, San Antonio, Terlingua, Vanderpool, Waco & more
|
Penang Heritage Trail - Pinang Peranakan Museum (Hai Kee Chan)
TrackBack URI for this entry
