Naughty Nyonya: A Baba Album & George Town

Tonight is indeed a grand and auspicious occasion for us at Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the Baba Nyonya community, and especially, the people of Penang. This event is jointly hosted by Peter Soon of Pinang Peranakan Mansion and Lillian Tong, President of PPBNPP. We have a book launch, and a double happiness celebration of George Town as UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the honour of welcoming our brand new Mayor of Penang who took office five days ago! Applause for Datuk Maimunah. This is your first Peranakan party!

The Deputy Chief Minister 1 of Penang,

Dato' Rashid Hasnon and Datin arrived

to a blaze of Kebaya beauties greeting

them at the big gate.

Escorted by Lillian Tong, Museum Director

of Pinang Peranakan Mansion to more surprises

Dato' Rashid is awed by the welcome

Nyonyas form a colourful background to

Consul-Generals and consuls from the China Consulate,

Japan Consulate-General's office and the Royal Thai

Consulate welcoming his arrival.

And yes, our six-day-old brand NEW

Mayor of George Town herself!

Pair of pretty Nyonya dancers

The delectable story of the Blue and White

Kamcheng, vintage sarong gift, and mystery

of golden beads that hide a mirror. . .

This event was jointly hosted by Pinang Peranakan Mansion

and the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang

The President's Welcome

Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang

It is with great pleasure, and privilege, that Pinang Peranakan Mansion and Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang jointly host this occasion to honour our Beloved Peter Wee. Peter Wee is an extraordinary individual. As President of the Peranakan Association for four terms, a total of 8 years, he has carried the flag for the Straits Chinese in Singapore, in its material and intangible culture.

The Invitation and Programme

Following the President's Speech the Deputy Chief Minister 1, Peter Wee, and Datuk Bandar of Penang were presented with a floral garland each, a token of love and appreciation from the members of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang.

Datuk Bandar is obviously delighted, beaming in her besar besar floral necklace!

Dato' Rashid Hasnon

Deputy Chief Minister 1 of Penang

Eddy Koh

Writer of the book

Peter Wee

Aunthor of 'A Baba Album'

Peter Wee is very dear friend. He has kindly donated his collection of Peranakan library books to our Museum in Malacca, including the furnishings of an entire bedroom, and personal items of his mother, the very elegant Madam Josephine Wee. This evening, to commemorate the Penang book launch of 'A Baba Album', he brought generous gifts for his Penang hosts. Mr Peter Soon received an exquisite antique beadwork valance, to Ms Lillian Tong, a pair of sarongs, one of which is from his vintage collection, and an antique batek blue and white kamcheng for Chris Ong of Seven Terraces.

The Sayang Sayang Nyonya Dancers

entertained guests with nyonya dances to

keroncong tunes. Here are the ladies,

in multi-hued costumes and fiery feather fans.

Guess what's behind the red veil and Pom pom!

I love it!

A loud pop and bang, and gold and magenta

confetti rained down the open air well.

Confetti Fairyland!

Thank you, Peter Wee!

Peter Wee is my mentor, and substantiative editor to both my published books, The Straits Chinese Jewellery Book and The Straits Chinese Beadwork & Embroidery Book. He has been a stoic supporter of the Penang Straits Chinese culture and heritage, and in promoting the Baba Nyonya culture. We would like to personally thank him for recognizing us as "custodians of the Penang Straits Chinese culture and heritage".

Dato' Rashid holds the portfolio for Penang's Community Relations, and our new Mayor, Datuk Bandar Datuk Maimunah, took office on the 4th of July. She is previously the General Manager of

George Town World Heritage Incorporated. How apt, to have the Deputy CM and Mayor, both inclined to cultural diversity and enhancing Penang's multi-ethnic composition.

Her Excellency Madame Ekajit

Royal Thai Consulate

Vice-Consul Chu Kai Min

Consulate-General of People's Republic of China

His Excellency Kenjiro More

office of the Japan Consulate-General

Melinda Song

Manager of Sayang Sayang Nyonya Dancers

We are proudly Penang!

Following the lead of our Deputy CM mooting an Ethnic Day celebration in May, and Dato Dr. Anwar Fazal and Dato Seri Mujahid’s multi-ethnic community breaking fast together during Ramadhan, we emulate their noble aspiration to have Penang people of all ethnic backgrounds, race and religion collectively regard and respect one another’s colour cultural diversity. And so here we are tonight, all gathered together, representatives of the ethnic people of Penang, celebrating our beloved George Town, our island, and our unique shared heritage.