Peranakan Museum Trip

For our field trip for Visual Communication class, we were assigned to either go to Orchard Road or the Peranakan museum to do a site report. For our group, we were assigned to go to the Peranakan museum. The task/brief was to answer a questionnaire and also to observe the visuals and designs of the Peranakan culture, which was an eye opening experience to us. In my group, it was me, Natasha and Charissa. When we entered the museum, there were different themes to each level and each section, each covering a specific aspect of the Peranakan culture.

In the museum, we first learnt that the Peranakan culture and prints originated from Indonesia and there are 3 types of Peranakan,

1) Singaporean Chinese Peranakan - Racially Chinese
2) Jewi Peranakan - Racially Malays
3) Chitty Melaka -Racially Indian Peranakan

While in the museum, there are a few colours and themes that are ubiquitous and seen in almost every exhibit, and that we later learn that those are colours and symbol that symbolise luck or prosperity. The lucky colours in the Peranakan culture is Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow and Gold. Whereas the symbols of prosperity are Birds, Flowers, Insects, Sea Creatures and Dragon Heads.

This is a traditional tea set that the Peranakans use, the intricacy of the set depends on what occasion it is being use at. In the set, we see lucky colours of pink and symbol flowers, birds and butterfly (insects).

This is a serving bowl when guests or feast happens. The bowl has many designs on it, where a lot of colours, this is visually appealing as the mix of so many colours pop, and they compliment each other, and the turquoise in this bowl is not to neon-ish, which gives of a very nice, royal feel. The use of a dragon appeals further to how important the event is, when this bowl is used. 

The few pictures above is a set of dowry and what a traditional bride wears for a wedding. The design concept and colour of it is gold, to symbolise prosperity and happiness. 

This is a beadwork table cloth, which is extremely vibrant and uses all of it's lucky colours and symbols.

These are purses that women use.

Lantern bearers a.k.a Pak Boyen, they carry lanterns of the family name during a wedding, as the carrying of the lantern represent a marriage of a family and that 2 families are joined together as one.

These large pots are called the kamcheng. they come in many different sizes, as you will se in the next few photos, and each size signifies a different use. Medium and large kamchengs are used for containing drinking water, food or desserts. The small ones are used to hold sweet treats and cosmetics. Large kamchengs were rare and found only in wealthy household, symbolising a family is well-to-do.

This is a in-and-out pot. For the simple reason that it has beautiful intricate design both 'in' and 'out' of the pot. As seen in the photo, the interior of the pot and lid has the same complex designs as the outside. This pot is used during feasts or when guests are in the house. Showing respect for the occasion. 

This photo is special as this showcases to us that Christianity is something that is prevalent in the Peranakan culture. I find it very interesting, as I used to think that Peranakans where Buddhists or Taoist. However, according to the explanation, it says that Christianity is a very evident religion in their culture.

In the Peranakan museum trip, I've learnt many aspects of how the Peranakans work that I previously didn't know, for instance, how a funeral looked like, in general, and how the entire ceremony would go by, didn't take the photos because we were scared, since when we were there, we were the only ones there. Also, the design processes that does behind every single artefact, from clothes to jewellery and daily things that we would even spare a thought for design about. Today's society affects heritage as the modernising of the world rapidly changes how things are and this dilutes the rich culture and traditions of theirs. The only way to preserve this culture and to allow more people to appreciate it, is to showcase the museum. In terms of the actual interior of the museum, it is very nice, and allows you to know more things about it. As it uses interactive media as well, like booths with touchscreen interfaces for people to listen and watch a video on a specific period of time. However, in order to attract more people and attention, they should market this place further and better. Some ways they can do it is to be more present on social media and interact with Singaporeans or tourists. And also, advertise the place on traditional media platforms like TV and radio. As a whole, I have understood a lot more about the Peranakan museum, and that this trip has allowed me to better appreciate a minority culture.