Searching for my roots

Little known to many, I'm a Hokkien Peranakan.. or so I think I am. My birth cert states my race as Chinese, dialect.. oh well, it's English. So it reads Chinese-English. I haven't the slightest clue how this came about. I can only suspect that they probably asked my dad what dialect he speaks and since he can't speak a word of any of the Chinese dialects, he probably said Malay and they axed that option out as there's no way he could be a Malay and the next answer he gave was probably English, so English it was.

I had the option of stating my correct dialect on JD's birth cert. But I figured I'll just stick to what is on my birth cert. It's uniquely mine and I want it to remain that way. Just like how I'm sure Gab would never change back his surname from Tin to Tan.


I've been meaning to visit the Peranakan museum for the longest time and when I read in the papers that entry was free last Sunday, I headed straight for it right after church. It was an interesting visit and it sure bought back memories of my childhood days when my grandparents were still around and certain traditions were still followed then.



One of the most elaborate set up that I distinctly remember is the Tok Panjang. Every year, on the eve of Chinese New Year, we'll all gather at the long rectangle table at home with dishes like bak wan kepeiting, pongteh, buah keluak amongst the many. It usually was an elaborate feast and everyone was merry.

There was a hall dedicated to religion and I was pleasantly surprised that the video they showed was Fr Alfred Chan & Fr Iggy during the annual Peranakan CNY eve mass at Holy Family. And it was here that I realised my dad was not kidding when he used to tell me that the family converted from Buddhism to Catholicism because of simplicity. Well, perhaps not exactly but I read that as time passed, society modernised, many gave up the complicated rituals. This abandonment may not necessarily be a bad thing. Afterall when I saw how elaborate the wedding ceremony was and that the entire event was a 12 day one, I was relieved that I was born in the modern times. I didn't even have the usual gate crashing session that grooms & their "brothers" had to put up with. I didn't even have the Guo Da Li. I just don't like things that take up too much time, too much effort, too much money. I like things straight to the point, clean & sleek.


The only regret I'll ever have is that I did not don a Kebaya during my wedding. It just didn't occur to me then and for this, I did wish that Little Nonya was shown 3 years earlier so I could have been a little prouder of my heritage. My only hope (& I do hope that I can remember when the time comes) is my baby girl to put on one for hers, to fulfill her mommy's wish.