After my recent visit to the Peranakan Museum, I was curious to find out more about the heritage of Peranakans. That was when I discovered that I am considered one too! My great-great-grandmother was a Hokkien Peranakan, so I think that somehow makes me one too? Well, that’s not the point of this post. The thing that got me hooked to finding out more about the heritage is the culture for a Peranakan Wedding Ceremony.

Display at Peranakan Museum

At the Peranakan Museum, there is an entire level dedicated to the wedding. There are four galleries that showcase the 12-days of a traditional Peranakan Wedding. Imagine getting married over 12 days!

I am still trying to find more details of the full 12 days of wedding ceremony. If you have links to resources, hope you’ll share it here with everyone.

During my visit, the exhibit that is still fresh in my mind now is this lime green nonyaware tray and the cotton handkerchief. Do you know what they’re for?

For the 12th (last day) of the Peranakan wedding

This tray and handkerchief is to prove that the bride was a maiden on her wedding night. The handkerchief (bim poh) was placed on the wedding bed and carefully folded the next morning. During the examination ritual, twelve elderly ladies from both families would gather, including the mothers of both the bride and bridegroom. The bride’s mother would then offer this to the groom’s mother on a tray for her to inspect. The groom’s mother usually would decline the offer as it was considered rude to inspect it. This took place on the last day (12th day) of the wedding, where the bride would be confirmed as the bride of the family.

If the bridegroom’s mother was to check and discover that the bride was not a maiden, it was possible for her to reject the bride! Aren’t you glad these rituals are no longer in practice?

Earlier this year, there was a demonstration of a Peranakan Wedding ceremony in Singapore! It was for the opening of the Peranakan Museum. Here’s a video I found that was taken on that day…

Did you notice how the bride has to walk swaying from side to side throughout the ceremony? And how the groom has to fan his fan constantly during his walk too. Pretty interesting right?

If you’re keen to explore and learn more about the Peranakan Heritage, you might want to consider visiting the Peranakan Museum on Monday! They’re having an open house at all NHB museums for Deepavali holiday!

For those who prefer exploring in cyberspace, here are some interesting links to check out…

• Peranakan Museum – Trail of Colorful Treasures by Sparklette.net
• The Peranakan Association (Singapore)
• The New Peranakan Museum by Catch A Chili Crab Hon

Tags: Peranakan Museum, Peranakan Wedding