The Peranakan Museum

To all Peranakan lovers, this post is just for you! Peranakan culture, Peranakan wedding, Peranakan food, Peranakans way of life. You name it and we have it all, right here at the Peranakan Museum!

The Peranakan Museum showcases the world's finest and most comprehensive collection displayed in 10 galleries. It is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi and cars.

39 Armenian Street
Singapore179941

How to get there? Simple!

By Bus: 
7, 14, 16, 36, 97, 124, 131, 147, 162, 166, 174, 501 Express, 511 Express, 77, 167, 171, 190, 700, 700A and 857.

Alight opposite Singapore Management University.

By Train: 
Take the MRT to City Hall Station and and take Exit B and head along Stamford Road and turn left to Armenian Street.

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Recently, we went down to the Peranakan Museum to learn more about the Peranakan culture. Now, allow us to share with you what we have come across during our visit there. With a total of 10 galleries in the museum, the Peranakan culture is spread across three different levels.

Gallery 1 (Level 1): Origins
Galleries 2 to 5 (Level 2): Wedding
Gallery 6 (Level 3): Nonya
Gallery 7 (Level 3): Religion
Gallery 8 (Level 3): Public Life
Gallery 9 (Level 3): Food and Feasting
Gallery 10 (Level 3): Conversations


Gallery 1: Origins.

Who are the Peranakans?

As Southeast Asia has been a crossroad for trade from time immemorial, traders from all over the ancient world came to exchange their goods for the exotic products of this region. Many of them only stayed for a short period of time, while others decided to settle down, marrying local wives and staying in Southeast Asia. Their descendants are the ancestors of the Peranakans.
Peranakan means 'child of' or 'born of' in the Malay-speaking parts of Southeast Asia. An example of a Malacca Peranakan is our very own local talent, Dick Lee.
In this gallery, you will be surrounded by pictures of many different Peranakans. From Jawi Peranakan to Chitty Melaka to Chinese Peranakan. Also, you will be able to see the timeline of the Peranakans in Southeast Asia. Not to forget, the material culture too. Get ready to be immersed in the Peranakan Culture! And this is just the beginning!



Galleries 2 to 5: Wedding.

Weddings in the Peranakan culture are a must-attend event! Filled with ceremonies, embroidery and heavy jewelery, the Peranakan wedding is a 12-day ritual with ceremonies being held everyday. From the Lap Chai Ceremony to the Tea Ceremony to the exchanging of gifts between the groom's and bridegroom's family, the wedding rituals are never-ending. The wedding costume is hand-embroided, with detailed beadwork that it is being stitched. It looks simply flawless!
The displays in these galleries show different stages of the wedding rites as well as items used in the full 12-day Peranakan wedding ceremony.
With an advancement in technology, more details about the wedding ceremonies can be found on touch-screen videos. The wedding sector is the part not to be missed!



Gallery 6: Nonya.

The Peranakan ladies were referred to as Nonyas. These nonyas are skilled embroiders. They have been into embroidery since young, as embroidery is an important part of the Peranakan Culture. As you enter this gallery, you will be able to see the detailed work of the nonyas on display.



Gallery 7: Religion.

Religion is of great importance to the Peranakans. In this gallery, you will be able to find out more about the Peranakan's beliefs. More information on death, divination and the supernatural in the Peranakan family will be provided in the video below.



Gallery 8: Public Life.

This gallery shows the different types of contributions that the Peranakans have contributed to the society. From commerce to politics to social affairs, the Peranakans led an active public life indeed! Tan Tok Seng was one of the philanthropists who contributed to the society.


Gallery 9: Food and Feasting.

In this gallery, you will be able to learn more about the culture and how a table is laid out when a Peranakan family is about to have a meal.

Gallery 10: Conversations.

There isn't much exhibitions in this gallery. Videos of Peranakans sharing their real-life experiences are being shown. Community members discuss about how the culture has evolved over time here. There are also a few paintings on the wall which serves as a type of 'communication' to the visitors. Malay was one of the first few languages that the Peranakans have learnt.

Please take a look at the videos in this post. Phototaking was prohibited in some of the galleries, which explains why there isn't any videos taken in some of the galleries.

Admission charges? $6 for every individual, $5 for every group consisting of 20 people or more, and $20 for a family of 5. Free admission to visitors aged 6 and below. Discounted admission charges on Fridays, 7pm-9pm.

That shall be it for now. We hope to see many of you visiting the Peranakan Culture at the museum itself! Till the next post! (: