The Peranakan Chinese commonly refer to themselves as Baba-Nyonya. Female Straits-Chinese descendants were either called or styled themselves Nyonyas. Nyonya is a Malay and Indonesian honorific used to refer to a foreign married lady. It gradually became more exclusively associated with them. Let's check out how Nyonya behaves during the Zenith of the Peranakan Culture, which has huge difference compared to Nyonya in today's society.
1. Young Nyonya are not allowed to leave the house
In the past, the Nyonya was raised primarily for being a good daughter, wife, and mother. They obtained little education as too much education was feared to make them bebas (too free and wild). They cannot leave the house. The Dark Hall was the furthest a young n could leave unsupervised The screen door shielded from street to avoid their precious daughters to be seen by others If the ladies were to look out, they would have to peer through the screen's slits to see what was going on. Over time, since the British colonial period, Nyonya’s garnered more education in English-medium schools. Eventually, they have become more independent from their former lifestyles. This has culminated in a condition where they are no longer able to observe much of their cultural heritage.
2. Nyonya Women in The Past Marry At A Very Young Age.
Unlike nowadays, women, especially Nyonyas back then marry at a very young age (around 15 years old). Before their marriage, they must sew a pair of Kasut Manik for themselves. Since young, Nyonyas will have to learn cooking, sewing and embroidery. The more Kasut Manik and sewing they can do indicates the better Nyonyas they are. Nyonyas back then will also have a high reputation if they can cook Nyonya dishes very well.
3. Nyonya Women in The Past Wears Kebaya Everyday
Baju kebaya looks very elegant on women. It is also one of the most popular traditional costumes in Malaysia. In the past, the Nyonyas would wear Baju Kebaya at home every day as a tradition. The longer Baju Kebaya (dress) is only for married Nyonyas, while the shorter Baju Kebaya is for single women.
Nowadays, Nyonya’s may not know how to prepare traditional Peranakan dishes, they could not pass on the dialect to their children, they would not follow the demanding ceremonies and traditions and prefer to wear modern clothing instead of the Nyonya kebaya.
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