Manek Mischiefs: Of Patriarchs, Playboys and Paramours


Book Description

After Kebaya Tales and Sarong Secrets comes a rich, gutsy collection of short stories immersing the reader into the vivid, multi-hued world of the Peranakans. Here, the babas take centre stage: masculine perspectives, voices and protagonists are put under the spotlight, even as fiery and headstrong heroines pursue their passions in the face of powerful obstacles. The cast of characters seek to forge individual identities within a unique cultural heritage facing the challenges of modern times. The stories are accented with photographs peppered throughout – of exquisite beadwork, bejewelled adornments, vintage fabrics, gilded artefacts from private collections, personal belongings of the babas, and of course, twinkling, manek-encrusted accessories.




English


Book Description

English: Critical Lessons for Teachers by Teachers is an educational and inspiring must-read for any English language teacher looking to inculcate inclusivity in diverse classrooms. It contains suggestions for improving English language coursebooks, a new way of teaching English grammar, lessons from multicultural classrooms, a study on multimodality lessons, positive psychology and language teaching, reflections of a Nyonya author and a story of teachers from the perspective of a dyslexic student. This book was specially written in honour of English language academic Professor Dr Stephen J Hall.




Kebaya Tales: 10th Anniversary Edition


Book Description

Ten years after its initial publication, national bestseller Kebaya Tales: Of Matriarchs, Mistresses and Matchmakers returns with a brand-new story. This collection of short stories teems with fascinating characters, plot twists and turns, and cultural idiosyncrasies of the Peranakan community. Laced with humour and occasional satire, Kebaya Tales kickstarted the three collections of stories centred on the nonyas and babas of the Straits Chinese people. Kebaya Tales won the 2011 Popular-The Star Readers’ Choice Awards for fiction, Malaysia’s top literary prize.




Manglish: Malaysian English at Its Wackiest!


Book Description

Now back after 20 years with brand new words, expressions and idioms, this hilarious classic remains packed with humour, irreverence and loads of fun. It bids all Malaysians to lighten up, laugh at ourselves and revel in our unique, multicultural way of life. Forget about tenses, grammar, pronunciation, and just relek lah … Aiyoh. Manglish or Malaysian English is what Malaysians speak when we want to connect with each other or just hang loose. Borrowing from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Asli, British English, American English, dialects, popular mass media and plenty more, our unique English reflects our amazing diversity. Like a frothy teh tarik or a lip-smacking mouthful of divine durian, Manglish is uniquely Malaysian. Manglish is an entertaining, funny and witty compilation of commonly used Malaysian English words and expressions. Whether Malaysian, expat, visitor or a fresh-off-the-plane Mat Salleh, you’ll never be at a loss for words when conversing with Malaysians.




Multilingual Singapore


Book Description

This volume brings together researchers whose analysis and insights provide a comprehensive and up-to-date account of Singapore’s rich linguistic diversity. Applying a combination of descriptive, empirical, and theoretical approaches, the authors investigate not only official languages such as English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, but also minority languages such as the Chinese vernaculars and South Asian and Austronesian languages. The chapters in this volume trace the historical development, contemporary status, and functions of these languages, as well as potential scenarios for the future. Exploring the tension between language policies and linguistic realities in Singapore, the contributions in this volume capture the shifting educational, political, and societal priorities of the community through its past and contemporary present.




Sarong Secrets 2023


Book Description

Pure reading pleasure from start to finish … bitter-sweet, light and delicate as the kebaya, spiced with the tang of sambal belachan. From the author of the award-winning bestseller Kebaya Tales comes yet another amazing collection featuring the colourful world of the babas and nyonyas. In Sarong Secrets, Su Kim tells more tales of passion and unfulfilled love, of innocence lost, greed and betrayal, of loneliness and the search for a sense of belonging – all of which harken to the unique Peranakan culture, a heritage teetering on the brink of extinction. Filled with humour, wit and vivid details, her compelling stories will delight and excite. Includes a colour section of beautiful sarongs, accessories and artifacts from a unique community renowned for its love of colour and sumptuous material culture.




Kebaya Tales


Book Description

This is a delightful collection of short stories, teeming with fascinating and interesting characters, unexpected twists and turns, cultural rituals, beliefs and superstitions and poignant events in the life stories of the Peranakans. Lee Su Kim's latest book brings you into another world, a world that many know little about; the world of the Babas and Nyonyas or the Straits Chinese, a colourful, flamboyant and unique community still in existence today in the former Straits Settlements of Malacca, Penang and Singapore




A Peranakan Legacy


Book Description

A Peranakan Legacy captures the rich heritage of a fast disappearing way of life and put on record many traditions and practices which were previously handed only down from generation to generation. The term ‘Baba’ is used to refer to the Straits-born Chinese or Peranakans. The Babas boast a unique culture and way of life that is an amalgamation of Chinese and Malay customs and etiquette. Their culture is perhaps best captured in the beautiful clothing, stunning jewellery, pretty porcelain and other artefacts used in daily living. Girls were taught, from a young age, how to cook a variety of elaborate meals as well as crafts such as beading and embroidery. The result is a rich legacy of splendid kebayas (embroidered blouses), beadwork and various other items. Through lavish, full-colour photographs of Peranakan artefacts and clothing, this book explains the origins of the various customs and traditions. While some customs are still practiced today, other more complicated ones have disappeared as modern babas adapted to contemporary lifestyles which are deemed more convenient and practical.




The Straits Chinese


Book Description

Geschiedenis van Chinese kooplieden die zich vestigden in Maleisie aan de Straat van Malakka




Peranakan Chinese Home


Book Description

Discover the rarified Peranakan (native-born Chinese of Southeast Asia) aesthetics that are today highly sought-after for their beauty: distinctive furniture and ceramics, textiles and jewelry, and many other art objects. Peranakan Chinese Home displays these extraordinary objects, visible markers of a highly developed culture. The broad range of beautiful objects which the Peranakan Chinese created and enjoyed in their daily lives is astounding. Each chapter in The Peranakan Chinese Home focuses on a different area and presents objects used or found in those spaces. Each piece is described in the context of their utility as household objects, as part of periodic celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year and other holidays, or in important life passage rituals relating to ancestor worship, birth, marriage, mourning and burial. The meaning of the rich symbolic and ornamental motifs found on the objects is discussed in detail and key differences are highlighted between Peranakan objects and similar ones found in China. A fascinating mix of Chinese, European and Southeast Asian influences, the distinctly Peranakan identity of a people and their culture is beautifully portrayed through objects and archival photographs in this lovely and exotic book.