I took the liberty to visit one of the most interesting places in Penang -- Pinang Peranakan Mansion.
You must be wondering, "What the heck is that?" even if you are not, just humour me ok. haha. Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a place, almost like a mansion, obviously, re-created according to a typical home of an affluent Baba a century ago that allow visitors to have a glimpse of the opulent lifestyle, customs and traditions in those day.
Now, you must be thinking, "Baba and Nyonya?". 'Baba and Nyonya' are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian archipelago of Nusantara during the colonial era. That's according to wikipedia. Luckily I did some homework before I start blogging. I first thought that Baba and Nyonya refer to descendants who are mixed Chinese and Malay.
Peranakan, which is also known as Baba and Nyonya adopted local Malay ways and the British colonial lifestyle. These influenced its rich culture, customs, cuisine, language and lifestyle. For more info of what Peranakan or Baba and Nyonya is, just click
here.
Fun Fact:
This mansion was built at the end of 19th century by local history's famous personality, the Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee.
It is a two-storey mansion.
Let us look at the first floor:
This is the first floor plan.
The first room that you'll see when you step into the mansion is the central courtyard with an open airwell.
Traditional Main Hall has a fine set of formal mother-of-pearl furniture framed by exquisite craved wooden screens gilded in gold.
Gallery 1 has a table set for a game of cheki that is reflected in the twin Victorian mirrors.
This is how the dining hall looks like.
Gallery 2 exhibits the western dining room at the olden days.
Gallery 3 on the other day exhibits the ordinary Peranakan dining room.
Temporary Display is shown at the back corridor. Nothing much is exhibited there except for the famous beaded-shoes or known as kasut manek in Malay.
Private Function Room is just outside the mansion. It is linked together with kitchen. I didn't get to take any picture for kitchen because I was occupied by the lady selling Baba-Nyonya coffee. Please do blame her!
Done with first floor. Now let's explore second floor together.
As always, I'll show the second floor plan before showing the pictures of every room.
As you walk up to the second floor, you will see that there are a lot of beautiful painting hang on the wall.
The right and left wings holds an impressive collection of Nyonya famille rose porcelain and Nyonya's jewellery respectively.
I found some interesting stuff exhibits at the second floor besides the jewellery and porcelain.
Basin used in the olden days.
Couldn't figure out what this is. Some say it's camera but to me it's like the old device used to play a video tape.
Interesting glass deco.
Basket, Baba-Nyonya style!
Ancestor of all typewritter!
The Family Hall has a display of one of the finest set of mother-of-pearl furniture in Penang.
Gallery 5 is a bridal chamber in era 1900's - 1920's.
Gallery 6 is a 1920's - 1940's bridal chamber.
Gallery 7 is a 1930' - 1950' bridal chamber.
A dazzling display of exquisite glass epergnes is showcased in Gallery 8.
During my trip at Pinang Peranakan Mansion, I missed out 'The Chung Keng Kwee Ancestral Temple' because I somehow manage to convinced myself that I have the map memorized in my head but I guess I was wrong.
Here's the floor plan for The Chung Keng Kwee Ancestral Temple.
Basically, that's the tour that I did during my visit. However I did find something that's not suppose to be there during the Baba-Nyonya era.
That thing that I'm referring to is......
URINAL -- The Winner of High-Tech Award! During Baba-Nyonya era of course!
What grab my attention the most is something outside the mansion. Luckily I manage to snap a photo of it before I went off.
Here's the 'thing' that I was saying. Attention Grabbing Award goes to --- The Old English red phone!
Despite of all the amazing antics and breathtaking deco / furniture in the mansion, the Most Creative Award still goes to.....
The colourful bamboo! Just love the mixing of colours of the entrance stickers pasted on the bamboo stick by visitors.
Guess that's end of my long-winded tour for you all today! Below is the detail of Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Do drop there if you are free. It's kinda interesting in Baba-Nyonya way.
Visiting Hours: Daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm
(Open on all public holidays unless notifie by the management)
Admission fee (heck, it's not free!):
Adult: RM 10.00
Child: RM 5.00 (below 12 yrs)
Child: FREE (BELOW 6yrs)
Location:
29, Church Street, 10200 Penang, Malaysia.
Telephone: 604-2642929
Fax: 604-2641929
Email:
rmhbaba@streamyx.com
rmhbaba@gmail.com
Website:
www.pinangperanakanmansion.com
p/s: some of the description are adapted from the 'Pinang Peranakan Mansion' visitor guide.
