The Baba-Nyonya Peranakans

Book excerpt: Why is so little known about one of the first hybrid cultures formed before the discovery of the New World? In a personal quest for meaning and understanding of his culture's early days to the present, the author stumbles across revealing forces and world events filled with intrigue. In the process, he discovers what compelled his Chinese ancestors to risk their lives and travel thousands of miles on the high seas in search of a new home in Southeast Asia. The result of their union with the local women is the formation of the Baba Nyonya Peranakan culture of Malaysia and Singapore. In this uniquely-written and image-rich book, the author ties in elements of the culture's millenia-long history with personal recollections of his family and cultural life. We are also introduced to his family members and ancestors, as well as stories and recipes of his grandmothers' legendary Nyonya cooking that is perhaps the World's first fusion cuisine.