February 19, 2009

Peranakans – Going the way of the Dodo?

Soh Tiang Keng said:

Despite signs of revival since the 1980s, a gradual extinction of the Peranakan culture and lifestyle will probably take place in decades to come. The fast-dwindling Singaporeans, steeped in Peranakan culture and practices, are becoming an endangered species which may fade into oblivion within the next 120 years or so.

Recommended by misty_cloud: "An interesting read on the origins of Peranakans. After the telecast of the Little Nonya TV series on Mediacorp Channel 8, there is this mad craze for "anything Peranakan" - from Peranakan food, music and fashion to history and tourism. An influx of visitors to Malacca to see for themselves the Peranakan culture.

But as the article says, is this sustainable? What will happen after the craze dies off? Is a TV series enough to revive the interest in Peranakan culture and the willingness to preserve that for the future generations?

Just some food for thought."

Link

Submitted by misty_cloud on February 17//3:12pm and published by tinkertailor :: 1 comment | 5065 reads | trackback