Peranakan Musuem

Peranakan Musuem -- the latest addition to Singapore's list of Musuems. I was there yesterday on a guided tour with my colleagues and it was quite an unique experience. I felt like a student again going on an excusion except that this time, there is no need to submit worksheet.


What's there at the Peranakan Musuem?
The Peranakan Museum showcases the history, traditions and lifestyles of olden day Peranakans. The ten galleries are sectioned as follows:-

Gallery 1: Origins
Find out who are the peranakans and where did they come from.

Galleries 2-5: Wedding
Wow, a traditional wedding celebration lasted 12 days! The traditional wedding costume was far too traditional... don't think anyone would wear them nowadays.

Gallery 6: Nonya
I like this section... unique sarong kebayas, beadwork and embroideries are showcased here.

Gallery 7: Religion
They have very similar beliefs to the chinese - Daoism, Buddhism, ancestral worship, etc. There is even a display of the dieties that they worship - Ma Zhu, Monkey God, Bao Gong and Nezha! Also, there is a section on death and mourning - Watch out for the coffin display, skip this if you find this disturbing.

Gallery 8: Public Life
Find the portrait of Tan Tock Seng in this section. I never knew Mr Tan Tock Seng was a peranakan?! The guide told us that they managed to borrow the genuine oil painting protrait from the family of the late philanthropist and will be showcasing it in time to come.

Gallery 9: Food and Feasting
You'll see the distinct colourful porcelain exibits in this section. There is also a table setup display.

Gallery 10: Conversations
You could skip this section if you like. It's just a video screening of young peranakans talking.

Where is the Peranakan Musuem?
It's at 39 Armenian Street, Singapore 179941 where the old 3-storey Tao Nan School building stands.

Videography and Photography are allowed but no camera flashes... Find out more from the official website.


The bed I saw in one of the galleries reminded me of the one I slept in China!

Peranakan Bed

China Bed

Somehow, this tour also reminded me of our Indian heritage tour. In comparison, I enjoyed the visit to the Goa heritage houses and mansions more. It was as if we had returned to that Portuguese era... mansions filled with the Indo-Portuguese furniture, European and Chinese wares, the exquisite Italian flooring, the 200-year old love chair and how well the items were maintained in the original states and positions... we could feel and find the Portuguese heritage and cultural mark everywhere in the house.




The guide revealed that Peter Lee (Dick Lee's brother) and some Peter Wee are in the midst of doing up a Peranakan heritage house and this would be the next tourist attaction. Hopefully, it'll be as attractive and popular as those we've seen in Goa!


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