FOOD HISTORY CULTURE PLACES LIFESTYLE ARCHITECTURE GUIDES TO TRAVEL
UNCOVERED 6th EDITION
EDITORIAL
As we were preparing the sixth annual Best Hometowns cover story, Uncovered Magazine’s editors reflected back on the communities that have been recognized over the years. All have outstanding services, food, architecture and cultural amenities. But one characteristic stands out: community pride. Thanks to a rich colonial past, thriving Peranakan heritage and excellent Nyonya fare, Malacca is Malaysia’s historical pride. Also spelt Melaka, the state is one of the country’s tourism industry’s trump cards. First established in the fourteenth century, it quickly gained fame under the auspices of founder Parameswara, a Sumatran prince. Conquered by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, remnants of their rule can be seen throughout the wellpreserved town centre, from Porta de Santiago (the remaining gate of the Portuguesebuilt A’Famosa fort) to the nearby Dutchconstructed Stadhuys. Malacca’s a small town so exploring it is fairly easy on foot as you’re never too far from touristworthy sights.
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CONTENTS
01 HISTORY 02 CULTURE 03 FOOD 04 PLACES 05 ARCHITECTURE
06 ACCOMMODATION
HISTORY
A Short History of Melaka Chinese, Dutch, British, and Malay Influences Present-day Melaka reflects its tumultuous history - a multi-racial population of Malays, Indians, and Chinese call this historic city home. Most notably, Peranakan and Portuguese communities still thrive in Melaka, a reminder of the state's long experience with trading and colonization. Melaka's founder, the ex-pirate Prince Parameswara, was said to be a descendant of Alexander the Great, but it's more likely that he was a Hindu political refugee from Sumatra. According to legend, the Prince was resting one day under an Indian gooseberry tree (also known as a melaka). As he watched one of his hunting dogs trying to bring down a mouse deer, it occurred to him that the deer shared a similar plight to his own: alone, exiled in a foreign land and surrounded by enemies. The mouse deer then achieved the improbable and fought off the dog. Parameswara decided that the place where he was sitting was a propitious
one for the disadvantaged to triumph, so decided to build a house on the spot. Malacca did indeed turn out to be a favorable place to found a town, due to its sheltered harbor, its abundant water supply and its prime location relative to the regional trade and monsoon wind patterns. Melaka and the Chinese In 1405 an ambassador of the Chinese Ming Empire, the eunuch admiral Cheng Ho (or Zheng He), sailed into harbour with a huge armada of giant trading ships. Ho started a mutually beneficial trade partnership, which eventually culminated in Malacca agreeing to become a client kingdom of the Chinese in exchange for protection against the Siamese. After its adoption of Islam in the 15th century and conversion into a sultanate, the town started to attract traders from the Middle East, swelling the ranks of those already arriving from every seafaring nation in Asia.
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Melaka and the Europeans Soon after, the covetous eyes of the emerging European naval powers fell on the wealthy little nation. The Portuguese, who arrived in 1509, were at first welcomed as trading partners, but then expelled when their designs on the country became apparent. Miffed at being rebuffed, the Portuguese returned two years later, seized the city and then attempted to turn it into an impregnable fortress, bristling with seventy cannon and equipped with all the latest anti-siege war technologies. These, however, proved insufficient to keep out the Dutch, who starved the city into submission in 1641 after a six month siege, during which the residents were reduced to eating cats, then rats and then finally each other. When Holland was overrun by the French in the Napoleonic wars, the Dutch Prince of Orange ordered all his overseas possessions to surrender to the British. After the wars ended the British handed Melaka back to the Dutch, then shortly afterwards managed to regain the city
by swapping one of their Sumatran colonies for it. Apart from a brief tenure by the Japanese during WW2, the city stayed in British hands until Malaysia declared independence, here in Melaka, in 1957. Melaka Today All these disparate traders and invaders intermarried, resulting in the ethnic and cultural diversity which now make Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage site, such a fascinating place to visit and also, for the non-culturally-curious partners of the many culture vultures who flock to the city, also a delicious one in which to eat. You get a sense of a quainter age as you meander round the old streets, an age where gentlemen wore white suits and pith helmets and briskly swung rattan walking sticks as they walked to their clubs for a snifter of gin. The rattan canes often swung a little less steadily on the way home, their owners having enjoyed a measure or two more than sobriety allowed – these were, however, easily justified as being essential for the health, due to the gin’s supposedly prophylactic properties.
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CULTURE
Melaka Culture & Heritage Melaka Attractions
Culture Melaka began more than six centuries in which various ethnic customs and traditions blended perfectly. Peaceful life of the people of Melaka races due to the life that gave birth to the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Baba and Nyonya, Portuguese, Chitty and Eurasia. Each ethnic group gives a different taste of the famous people of Melaka as a friendly people. Each of these races uphold their tradition and this is reflected in the food, religious customs, festivals, culture, design, application, jewelery and handicrafts. Today Melaka has many things to offer to tourists such as culture, customs istiadar, historic sites, religious festivals, traditional celebrations in the city as well and Jasin.
long sleeves called baju and sarong worn with little or tight clothes baju kebaya. Malay Male Malay dress worn with loose pants with a cloth known as well as tied at the waist. For weddings and feasts, songket cloth to be used as well. Traditions and other characters of the Malays as illustrated in the song Love Dondang Malay martial arts such as Silat Melayu.
Malay social organizations in Melaka is divided into two, namely those customary Temenggong the family of the wife by the husband and customs Perpatih, where the husband by the wife's family. Malay women wear loose clothing and
Indians in Melaka are the Tamils ​​of South India where they inhabit the rubber. However, there are also among those who work in the business of jewelry, fabrics, retailers, merchants and money-lenders.
The Chinese came to Malacca since the mass migration of Chinese from South province in central China. Communities such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese still follow customs, traditions, food, language and their cultural characteristics.
While Melaka has a multi-racial population of Malays, Chinese and Indians reflecting the overall racial make-up of Malaysia, it is the Peranakan and Portuguese culture that is still practised by a few descendant communities that attracts visitors.
The Peranakan and Portuguese descendants in Melaka today are the result of the state's long history with trading and colonisation by Oriental and Western powers. Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Chinese in Melaka is where their ancestors came and married local women. Such intermarriage has produced a unique Chinese culture and Malay traditions. Ethnic Portuguese in Melaka provides traditional life, language, customs and music that appears unique. The most popular dance is Beranyo and Frapeirra. Christians also celebrate festivals with great including Christmas Day and Easter Festival San Pedra.
The Baba Nyonyas
Peranakans are descended from Chinese migrants who first came to Malacca many centuries ago. Adopting Malay customs and cultures, theirs is a unique heritage unlike any other. Peranakans are also referred to a 'Straits Chinese'. It is still a subject of debate whether the Peranakans actually intermarried with the local Malay population or maintained a pure bloodline, but most are said to be of Hokkien ancestry. 'Babas' refer to male Peranakans while 'Nyonya' refer to females. Often Nyonya is used to substitute the term 'Peranakan' as well. Peranakans also settled in Penang, the only other state than Malacca. In terms of dressing, the women wear traditional Malay costumes, notably the 'Baju Kebaya' a form of blouse woven with silk. Footbinding, a practice carried over from China, used to be common
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among the affluent folk but over the centuries, it is no longer practised and for good reason. Perhaps the Peranakan's most famous legacy is Nyonya food, a fusion of Malay ingredients with Chinese cooking styles. Some of the most popular dishes include 'Belacan', 'Assam Laksa', 'Cendol' and 'Kuih Talamยก'. Peranakans speak a dialect of the Malay language called 'Baba Malay' which has some elements of the Hokkien language. Their most notable musical entertainment form is the 'Dondang Sayang'; or 'Love Song' where Babas and Nyonyas exchanged poems in a humorous style, accompanied by a violin, accordion and traditional instruments; the Rebana and Gong. Many Malaccans, regarded less of their ethnicity, often indulge in Dondang Sayang; such is its popularity.
The Portuguese
When the Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511 and ruled for 130 years, a few stayed behind and formed a fishing community that has lasted till today. As devout Catholics, they celebrate various festivals dedicated to their religion which can be witnessed throughout the year in their settlement the Portuguese Square. Over the years, the Portuguese intermarried with the local population and are now collectively referred to as Portuguese-Eurasian or 'Kristang', but they still maintain their traditional surnames such as 'Sequiera' and 'Lopez'. Usually, they speak a distinct language which is a Creole (fusion of two languages) based on Portuguese and Malay. The Portuguese community in Malacca are a merry bunch, often
celebrating with loud dances, music and song. Their most famous tune is the 'Jinggling Nyonya', a happy dance-song routine. They've also brought their food; 'Curry Debelยก' is among the most famous of their dishes. Ethnic Portuguese in Malacca provides traditional life, language, customs and music that appears unique. The most popular dance is Beranyo and Frapeirra. Christians also celebrate festivals with great including Christmas Day and Easter Festival San Pedra. In June, the Portuguese Suare becomes abuzz with activity as the villagers celebrate a feast in honour of their patron saint. It is truly a sight for visitors to behold and a great chance to get to know this special 3,000-odd group of people in Malaysia.
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FOODS
Malacca may be known for its Nyonya fare but its range of cuisine doesn’t just stop there. From Malay favourites such as ikanbakar to chicken rice balls (the state’s unofficial signature dish), Malaccan food entices just about everyone. The best restaurants are located within the popular Malacca Raya suburb, but you’ll also find a host of good eateries along Jalan Hang Jebat, Chinatown. The enticing allure of good dining is as much a part of Malacca's appeal as its narrow roads, antiquated shops and the remnants of European empires. In the last few years alone an overabundance of new dining venues has sprung up around Malacca. Scores of these restaurants are in the vicinity of Malacca’s historic buildings, and some are even located within them. Offering local fare and international gastronomy, most of these cafés, bistros and restaurants have simply sumptuous food.
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Most importantly you can’t think of Malacca without thinking of Nyonya cuisine – especially pervasive throughout the city centre. Nyonya fare is a unique blend of Chinese, Malay and sundry cooking styles that has evolved from the social dynamics of the different cultures. While in Malacca, don’t miss out on the chance to taste the ayam pong teh at Makko, the mozzarella chicken at Amigo or the satay celup at Restoran Ban Lee Siang
Delectable Cuisine Malacca cuisine is well-known for its lively flavours and aromas. Each community has its distinct culinary style. The city’s many restaurants, café, food courts, pubs and fast food restaurants offer a range of dining options.
Malay Food Popular Malacca favourites are satay celup (skewered seafood cooked in peanut sauce), cincaluk (fermented shrimp relish), rojak (fruit and vegetables salad), dodol (a sweet sticky palm sugar delicacy) and chendol(cold dessert with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup).
Restoran Lot 85, Jalan Durian Daun Restoran Kari KelapaIkanHajahRahmah, Jalan Bukit Katil
Chinese Food Chicken rice balls are a sought-after delicacy by local Chinese visitors to Malacca. Shaped into golf-size balls, the rice is served with chicken meat, cucumber and garlicchilli sauce.
Restoran Original Taste, Jalan Melaka Raya 2 Ban Lee Siang, JalanOng Kim Wee
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Nyonya Food Nyonya food incorporates Chinese ingredients flavoured with Malay spices and herbs. Popular Nyonyofavourites are otak-otak (spices fist meat, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled), itiktim (duck stew with salted vegetables) and perutikan (preserved fish stomach in herbs)
RestoranBibik Neo, Jalan Melaka raya Restoran Ole Sayang, Jalan Melaka Raya
Portuguese Food Portuguese cuisine assimilates the culinary styles of Malay and Indian cooking traditions. Fish features highly in the community’s daily menu. Favourites are pasukaemadu (baked fish), garinggaringfretu (fried whitebait with sliced shallots) and the fiery el diablo curry (devil curry).
Restoran De Lisbon, Medan Portugis Restoran San Pedro, Portuguese Settlement
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Indian Food Traditional Chitty food is a delectable fusion of Indian spices and local ingredients. Must-try Chitty delicacies include ikanparangmasakpindang(fish in spicy soup base), nasilemak (cooked Chitty-style), nasikembuli(kembuli rice) and puluttekan (glutinous rice cake).
RestoranD’Tandoori House, Jalan Melaka Raya RestoranSelvam, JalanTemenggong
Seafood Grilled seafood is a popular offering of restaurants located at Umbai, Serkam, Alai, Pernu and PengkalanBalak on the southern coast ofMalacca. The seafood complex in UmbaiBaru is a major attraction. It offers grilled fish wrapped in banana leaf, fish in tamarind sauce, fish head curry, chilli crabs, buttered prawns, stuffed squid, cockles and oysters.
PerkampunganIkanBakarTerapung, UmbaiBaru Medan IkanBakarSerkam, KampungSerkam
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PLACES
PLACES
Getting Around Melaka The usual options are available to get around Malacca Town. Choose from taxis, buses and trishaws to move around the city.For those places to visit located at the outskirts of the city, use a cab or charter your own car to get there.
By Trishaw
A trishaw ride is reminiscent of the days gone by. It is a thoroughly enjoyable way to get around Malacca along with the knowledgeable tour guide cum trishaw rider. The trishaw pullers will take you to all the major tourist sites; they know them all like the back of their own hands. If you decide that the trishaw is the thing for you, then it would be helpful for you to know that you will be able to get them at the Dutch Square and outside the Mahkota Parade Shopping Centre.
By Bus
As Malacca is a small place, taking the bus is an easy way of getting around. There aren't as many jams as big cities like Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown. Stations are available at designated spots around town but do keep coins for the ticket machines as they do not return change.
By Taxi
A cab will take you anywhere you want to go for a fee. You can hail a taxi where ever you are from the road, as they pass by many routes. Do try to bargain your fare; although they are required by law to follow a meter, most do not so you can set the amount before boarding.
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Attractions Malacca is one of Malaysia’s most historically rich state. With a rich blend of historical attraction sites, interesting background stories paired together with great tasting local food – makes Malacca one of the must-visit states of Malaysia. Here are the 5 interesting sites to visit around Malacca that is a assorted mix of cultural, historical and local specialties:
Top 5 Must-See Malacca Attractions Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum Located along JalanTokong, this is Malaysia’s oldest traditional temple. Established back in the 1600s – this is arguable one of Malacca’s most popular attraction with both devotees and also tourists from around the globe. Built around and devoted to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy – Kwan Yin, this temple will be flocked with visitors wishing to pay their respects during festive periods or Chinese celebrations. As such, visitors would be advised to time their visits well to avoid being cause in the crowd!
A’Famosa Fortress & A'Famosa Resort A'Famosa or "The Famous" in Portuguese, is one of the oldest surviving remnants of European architecture in Asia. Once part of a mighty fortress, this tiny gate (called the Porta de Santiago) is all that history has spared. On the other hand, If you’re looking for good clean fun with the family – especially if you have young children, the A'Famosa Resort is perfect for you. Comprising of a Water World to satisfy those who wants to get wet and wild, or just enjoy a swim. Animal World Safari is perfect for those whom want to expose their kids to appreciate animals in a safe and fun setting – ranging from petting zoo to even animal rides. Plus, you and your family will be entertained with the wide assortment of activities prepared by the Resort.
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Cheng HoonTeng Temple
Located at JalanTun Tan Cheng Lock, the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum serves as the perfect starting point for visitors to have a better understanding of this unique culture of Baba Nyonya in Malacca. Established in 1896, the museum is fashioned to resemble a typical 19th century Baba Nyonya townhouse – complete with Chinese hardwood furniture that comes with a blend of Victorian and Dutch designs.
Jonker Street
Also known as Jalan Hang Jebat – Jonker Street is the go-to place for you to satisfy your inner shopper. Here, you’ll find almost anything, and everything – packed to the brim side by side from one end of the street to the other. You can find a myriad of things from traditional Nyonya goods, interesting knick-knacks and artworks from all sorts of artists. Oh, and did I mention there is also a lot of street food? Fried ice-cream, curry fish balls, potato chips and even radish cake!
Christ Church The oldest Protestant church in Malaysia that was built back in 1753 to commemorate a century of Dutch rule in Malacca. Some of the key attraction of Christ Church is that it is entirely coral-red colored, and is designed with beautiful Dutch architectural elements and a glazed-tile picture of The Last Supper adorning the church. Christ Church is a lovely attraction for both the faithful and also sightseeing.
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ARCHITECTURE
One of the unique and fascinating fact about Melaka architecture is the unique combinations of its building architecture. If you have an eye for buildings and structures, Malacca is definitely a destination for you. Melaka may not have big, massive and imposing architecture structures like the Roman Colosseum, Great Wall of China and Angkor Watt in Cambodia. However, these quaint building structures are impressive and charming in its unique way.
What Melaka lacks in its building structure’s size are replaced by its unique blend of Eastern and Western style of architecture (most prominent will be the Dutch colonial architecture) just like the tiny state itself. In short, traditional Melaka architecture projects the glory days of Melaka Empire as the “Emporium of the East“. We has divided Melaka architecture into 5 main categories namely:
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1. House Architecture House or home is the integral part of a human being. It doesn’t matter if you live in a big or small house as long as it serves as your home. In order to understand the different community or ethnic, the best place to start will be from the house itself. As what you can see, I have listed a few examples of houses that might have similar and different design and functions in the Malaysian community. Melaka Sultanate Palace does not only serve as a house for the royal family but it also serve as an administrative, religious and meeting place. Therefore, it might look similar to the Melaka Malay House with more elaborated carving, private sections and size to reflect its significant status. Other house architecture are Melaka Courtyard House that has the trademark tiles steps, traditional Chinese House in rural area that has a strong Malay house architecture style without the raised tilt, the famous long and narrow Melaka townhouse where the Babas and Nyonyas live or the villas and mansionsscattered along Klebang Area.
2. Business Premises Architecture Melaka (Malacca) as one of the premium trading emporium during the 15th century has its unique range of shop houses that could be traced during the Dutch era. Under the influence of its different “master“ and cultural mix, the Melaka architecture and style of the business premises architecture evolve along the way. Today, you could see rows of Business Premises Architecture that “tell“ and “share“with you the fabric of Melaka’s history during its heyday. There’s also interesting business premises architecture could be found in the shophouse in the rural area that might look similar to its counterpart in town area with less ornamentation and different twist of adaptation styled to suit its surrounding environment.
a) Melaka Shophouse b) Shophouse in rural area
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3. Ethnic Group and Religious Buildings Architecture The Cheng HoonTeng Temple in Melaka Melaka is definitely a one stop center for us to marvel the different ethnic group and religious building architecture. Here you could find the different ethnic group burial structure, worship architecture and clan house architecture within your reach.
a) Burial Structure b) Chinese Temple c) Clan House d) Church e) Indian Temple e) Mosque
4. Fortress and Fort Architecture Melaka Fortress Architecture Melaka (Malacca) was once described as a fortress walled city. It still has some ruins of the once magnificent fortress architecture remains scattered around this tiny state.The most prominent builder of fortress will be the Portuguese and the Dutch.
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a) Porta de Santiago b) Middleburg Bastion c) St. John’s Fort
5. Colonial Architecture Melaka Colonial Archtecture Malacca under the reign of its “Western Master“ has a uniquely mixture of architecture style within one state. Generally these colonial architectures could be divided into two namely:
a) Portuguese Colonial Architecture b) Dutch Colonial Architecture
The Portuguese colonial architectures in Melaka are fortresses, forts and churches. As for the Dutch colonial architectures, they have venture further than the Portuguese in building administration offices, houses and shophouses.
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ACCOMMODATION
BEST LUXURY HOTELS 1.Casa Del Rio Situated at the mouth of the Malacca River, nearby the Stadhuys and Jonker Street, Casa del Rio is a five-star venture with Mediterranean and Peranakan-inspired, wooden floor lodgings. Each room features a private balcony, air conditioning, flat screen TV, DVD and CD player, Wi-Fi and I-Pod docking station. The sister property of the beautiful Casa del Mar in Langkawi, hotel facilities include an outdoor pool, a gym, three restaurants and bars, an on-site spa, a ballroom and seven meeting rooms. http://www.malacca-hotels.com/casa-del-rio/
2.Philea Resort & Spa Philea Resort & Spa is five-star venture with 200 luxurious rooms with air conditioning, crisp white linen, flat screen TVs, private verandas and Wi-Fi. The main lobby is a chrome-and-glass edifice while the surrounding buildings (which house the hotel’s guestrooms) are gorgeous pine log cabins. Elegantly rustic, the resort is built around a valley with beautiful water features including a man-made waterfall; facilities include a pool, spa, gym, business centre, games room, kid’s room and five restaurants and bars including a karaoke lounge. http://www.malacca-hotels.com/philea-resort/
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BEST HERITAGE HOTELS 1.Hotel Puri With 180 stylish rooms furnished with comfy beds, work desks, iPod docking stations, in-room internet access, a 37- inch flatscreen TV in the room and a 19-inch flat screen in the bathroom, G Hotel snags the top spot as the city centre’s best business hotel. Sporting artsy fixtures, the five-star venture is located adjacent to the Ampang Park LRT station making it easily accessible to popular tourist destinations such as the Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC and the KL Convention Centre. http://www.malacca.ws/hotelpurimc/
2.The Baba House Located along Jalan Tun Cheng Lock in Malacca’s Chinatown, The Baba House is a three-star venture comprising a row of well-restored Peranakan shop houses. The recently renovated establishment has 60 rooms with air conditioning, attached bathrooms and TVs. One of our Top Ten Best Malacca Hotels, it’s a heritage spot due to a gorgeous interior with beautiful, intricate tile work, heavily-embellished hardwood furniture, engraved panels and a beautiful courtyard garden. There’s WiFi available in the lobby and a small café within the hotel. http://www.malacca.ws/babahouse/
BEST BUDGET HOTELS 1.Hotel Hallmark Inn One of the latest additions to Malacca’s portfolio of budget-friendly hotels, Hotel Hallmark Inn is a two-star venture with 78 carpeted, air-conditioned rooms. Each lodging unit has an attached bathroom, flat screen TV, DVD player and Wi-Fi; hotel facilities are limited but there’s a breezy garden café that serves complimentary breakfasts for guests, an on-site spa and a Jacuzzi. The hotel is only a short walk away from Malacca’s two biggest shopping malls - Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall and Mahkota Parade. http://www.malacca-hotels.com/hotel-hallmark-inn/
2.Hotel Seven A two-star boutique venture with distinct Peranakan accents, Hotel Seven offers reasonably priced, compact rooms with air conditioning, attached bathrooms, colour TVs and Wi-Fi. Featuring a great location nearby Bukit Cina, its one of our Top Ten Best Malacca Hotels and the well-kept establishment has friendly, unpretentious staff. Though it doesn’t boast much in the way of facilities (such as a pool or gym), it’s well designed and popular with the backpacker crowd. http://www.malacca-hotels.com/hotel-seven/
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