A showcase of cultural synergy

Asia, Singapore remains to be an exceptional city-state with its progressive economy and tourist attractions. But how can such a small country be globally competitive compared to its neighboring Asian countries?

Perhaps one of the common conclusion in terms of theories of evolution and politics is that adaptation is an essential element to enable countries, persons, and cultures survive or realize their full potentials. As one of the remaining true city-states in the world, the smallest country in Southeast Asia is home to a mixture of different ethnicities.

Yet, the differences in culture and beliefs of the people in the country have not divided the small country but is one of its biggest advantages over other countries.

Understanding history

With the country’s rich history of global trading, Singapore is home to one of the most unique ethnicities called "Peranakan."

Falling in love with the country and with its local women, some foreign traders have opted to stay and settle in Singapore. In the 19th century, the Peranakan Chinese, drawn by commerce, migrated to the bustling ports of Penang and Singapore, and this resulted in the union of two distinct cultures and gave birth to a new one: the Peranakan culture.

Peranakan is a Malay term which means "locally born," but is also used to refer to other communities that developed in Southeast Asia such as the Jawi Peranakan (Peranakan Indian Muslim), the Chitty Melaka (Peranakan Indian) and the Baba (Peranakan Chinese), all recognised as "Peranakan" in the widest sense of the word. In Singapore, the majority of Peranakans are Peranakan Chinese.

The importance of the past

As it plays a major role in the country’s history as well as being a major culture of Singapore, the Peranakan Museum enables tourists to understand the role it has played in modern Singapore. But more importantly, the museum also focuses on young Singaporeans’ appreciation of their own culture.

The museum contains the finest and most comprehensive collection of Peranakan artifacts in the world. Through the museum, guests can explore the culture of Peranakan communities in the former Straits settlements of Singapore, Malacca, and Penang and their links with other communities in Southeast Asia.

Three floors of permanent galleries illustrate important rituals, practices and the material culture of the Peranakans, as well as how this unique fusion culture is viewed today. The Peranakan culture, with its unique hybrid nature, continues to play a big part in Singapore’s living heritage.

A rembrandt of cultural evolution

One of the interesting facts about the Museum is that the building itself has gone through changes that reflect Peranakan Culture. Known as the Tao Nan School Building, it was originally a school where lessons were taught in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect.

It was later transformed into the Asian Civilizations Museum (ACM) 1994, which featured different aspects of Chinese culture.

The ACM closed in 2005 and was redeveloped into a new museum which showcases the unique culture of the Peranakans.