Peranakan Museum

The word Peranakan actually means ‘locally born’ and is used to refer to descendants born from the intermarriage of Chinese and Indian traders with the local Malay community, resulting in a unique hybrid culture found mostly in Singapore and Malaysia. The Peranakan Museum is considered a part of the larger Asian Civilisations Museum, and focuses on presenting the culture and heritage of this unique mixed community. Located on Armenian Road and housed within the old Chinese School Tao Nan building dating back to 1912, the Peranakan museum is home to 10 galleries spread over three floors, with artefacts and exhibitions paying homage to the role Peranakans had to play in Singapore’s history. Even to this day, the community’s distinct visual culture is prevalent in modern Singapore society, where the kebaya (a traditional garment), kasot manek (hand-beaded sandals) and nyona kueh (a multi-coloured snack) are some of the most common examples of Peranakan tradition.