A Peranakan Festival was recently held in a mall in Kuala Lumpur. A stunning fashion show took place alongside the exchanging of many anecdotes and establishing of new connections among the attendees.
Celebrating the Peranakan culture
A group of Sarawakians recently participated in a Peranakan Festival held in a luxury mall near KLCC in Kuala Lumpur.
It was a partnership of entrepreneurs, designers, and artisans, mostly from Kuching, who were looking to expand their brands and businesses outside of the state, as well as boost shopping and tourism for economic growth in our region.
Chung Siong, from Dalat, Sarawak, surprised many in the audience by revealing that there are Peranakans in Sarawak, especially in Kuching, which has descendants of Peranakans who migrated from the Straits of Melaka, Penang, Singapore, and Indonesia.
“I was thrilled to meet people who are passionate about Peranakan culture at the event. Many of them are Peranakan descendants. They were unaware of the Peranakan Chapter in Sarawak, but found amusement in the story I told them,” said Chung Siong who is a practising lawyer in Kuching.
Kuching was named by UNESCO as a “Creative City of Gastronomy”. These Peranakan descendants are proud of their Nyonya cuisine.
Chef Michelle Lim, who is the owner of TAI TAI Restaurant, a fine dining establishment in a stunning century-old Chinese mansion in Kuching, prepared Sarawak achar (pickled food made from cucumber, carrots and spices) according to her Peranakan grandmother’s recipe.
Lim’s achar, which is ideal for snacking and serving throughout the festive season, is also available at her restaurant.
The achar, nicely packed in a box, was sold alongside Mukah’s Krupok, a popular deep-fried crackers made from seafood and other ingredients. The krupok comes in a variety of flavours, including prawns, Ikan Tenggiri, and Ikan Terubok.
RAMTINI, a songket brand, and NABILA, a ceramic accessory brand, both participated in the JIN JIA SUI opening fashion show in Collab Store, situated at Shoppes at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur, with some of their lovely items worn by the models.
The little triangular dowry bags by RAMTINI are beautiful, and one shopper was so fascinated by them that she purchased the only two colours that were available. NABILA by Nabilah Abdullah produced a rather unique ceramic papaya leaf ornament. These two artisans were sponsored by the Sarawak Crafts Council.
Francesca Ang, who runs the FRENS CAFÉ in Kuching, also took part. Her passion in community social work led her to bring contemporary bags made by two gifted boys.
Eden Liew Shan Cheng, 14, is autistic, and Lincoln Tiong Xue Hong, 13, has a learning disability, but both produce very well-crafted bags. One of their contemporary rattan bags was included in the fashion show.
It is about time we flaunt a traditional wear which is gaining in popularity among Sarawakian ladies today, and bringing it to Kuala Lumpur for a showcase is FABRIKO!
Famous for its textiles, this boutique in Kuching is an acumen of Chop Chin Nam (established since 1932) and was founded in October 1989 by our current Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
FABRIKO is an ideal place for locals and fashion designers in Sarawak to look for high-quality textiles, especially those with unique Borneo motifs. Their Nyonya Kebayas are displayed beside their textiles.
It is a shorter version of a Kebaya top that is characterised by its shapely design, pretty lace, and intricate embroidery.
Instead of matching with floral sarongs, FABRIKO used sarongs with songket, Iban, and Orang Ulu motifs.
As some audience members noted, the colours used in our region are bright and cheery.
The show’s debut appearance featured an all-red ensemble. Influencer and media contributor Yvonne Yoong fell in love with it, purchased it, and wore it after the show.
“Everything presented today is stunning. I’m truly inspired to wear our Nyonya Kebaya now,” Yoong said, as she recalled her childhood days spent in her ancestors’ Peranakan mansion in Melaka.
The FABRIKO fashion show was co-ordinated by the writer.
