Ethnic Diversity

The spice trade brought Chinese people to Malaysia in search of fortunes. The British transported many Southern Indians to be laborers for tin mining and rubber planting. The indigenous Malays adopted much of the culture and cuisine from these newcomers. As the three major ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) converged, new ethnic identities were formed. The Straits Chinese, also known as the Peranakan, are made up of the Chinese men who took Malay wives when they came from China. These marriages flourished during colonial times in Malaysia. The men are referred to as the Babas and the women as Nyonyas. These families developed a sophisticated culture and cuisine. “Nyonya-ware” ceramics made in southern Chinese provinces of Jiangxi and Guangdong especially for the Straits Chinese are colorful remnants of early Peranakan culture. Pastel greens, dark blues, sun-bright yellows, and pinks are combined to form unique, ornately patterned Chinese-style plates, vases, and dishes.