Our lights showcase the rich heritage of Peranakans (Pe-rah-na-khan), a community unique to the South East Asian region of the world.

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Peranankan Babas and Nonyas (men and women) are descendants of early Chinese migrant men who inter-married with local Malay women in the 15th and 16th century in the Indonesian archipelago of Nusantara, present day Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

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The result is a fascinating fusion of Malay and Chinese cultures, complemented by borrowed influences from the Dutch, Portuguese, British, Thai and Indians.

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From furniture, to beadwork and embroidery, to jewelery and silverware, the nyonyas and babas of the not-too-distant past decorated their lives to such levels of luxury and extravagance, it is almost unthinkable, put in today’s context. This royalty-like lavishness is perpetuated in everything that they ate and used.

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• The decline of the Peranakan community coincided with the period of World Ward II, especially during the Japanese Occupation (1942-45) in Malaya and Singapore. Today, there is the question of the future of Peranakan language and culture. Modernisation and rapid urbanisation, westernisation and the erosion of identity through inter-marriage with non-Peranakan all pose threats to its continued existence. There is a great deal of nostalgia and regret for that is perceived as a beautiful but dying culture and a rich, incomparable language.

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• As a result, there has been in recent years - especially from the 1980s - a revival of interest in the Peranakan community and its language has started. This is done through exhibitions, inspiring drama productions in Baba Malay and the restoration of Peranakan architecture.

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The lights here represent the colours, the motif and the gentleness that is associated with this culture.