“To honour a culture is not to claim it — but to carry its stories with care.”
~ArtSHINE
Over the past 12 weeks, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside the vibrant world of Peranakan culture — not as an insider, but as a learner, ally, and witness. From food and fashion to architecture and rituals, each step of this journey has offered me new ways to reflect on identity, tradition, and the ways we connect across cultural lines.
This final post isn’t a conclusion — but rather, a pause to take in what I’ve learned, what I’ve questioned, and what I now carry forward.
What This Journey Was (and Wasn’t)
When I first began this series, I knew one thing for certain: I am not Peranakan. I have no bloodline claim, no inherited family customs, no ancestral home in Melaka or Penang. But I do have a deep respect for the culture. I’ve seen it shape the lives of friends, artists, and communities I care about.
My goal from the beginning was clear — to explore Peranakan culture through a learner’s eyes, and to spotlight its beauty without overstepping. I wanted to shine a light on the keepers of the flame: the elders, artisans, chefs, and storytellers who live and breathe the heritage every day.
10 Key Lessons I’ve Learned
1. Culture is Lived, Not Just Learned
Reading books or attending exhibitions isn’t enough. Culture is something you experience — in meals cooked with memory, in heirlooms handed down, and in language whispered between generations.
2. Hybridity Is Strength
Peranakan identity is complex — a rich blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arab, and European influences. It defies easy definition, and that’s what makes it beautiful. In a world that often seeks to categorise, Peranakan culture teaches us to embrace in-between spaces.
3. Food Tells the Deepest Stories
From ayam buah keluak to kueh salat, every dish I encountered was more than a recipe — it was a love letter to history, family, and resilience. Peranakan food is ancestral memory on a plate.
4. Rituals Matter
Whether it’s wedding customs, ancestor prayers, or the art of beadwork, I learned how rituals anchor identity. They remind us of where we came from — and give us purpose in the now.
5. Preservation Is a Community Effort
Keeping a culture alive requires effort from many: elders to teach, youth to adapt, artists to reinterpret, and allies to amplify without co-opting.
6. Appreciation Requires Accountability
There’s a fine line between cultural appreciation and appropriation. I’ve learned that the difference often lies in intention, credit, and context. Ask: Am I honouring the culture or just using its aesthetics?
7. Language Holds Emotion
In learning common Peranakan phrases and expressions, I saw how language doesn’t just communicate — it connects. Language carries humour, values, and nuance that are lost in translation.
8. Heritage Homes Are More Than Architecture
Visiting heritage buildings and researching their design revealed something deeper — homes were built not just for shelter, but for symbolism. Every tile, window, and motif held meaning.
9. Modern Identity Is Fluid
I met Peranakan individuals who are proudly queer, modern, diasporic, and still deeply rooted in their culture. Identity evolves — and that evolution doesn’t erase heritage; it enriches it.
10. Learning Never Ends
This series may end here, but my learning doesn’t. There is always more to unlearn, relearn, and discover. Culture is not a box to tick — it’s a lifelong invitation.
Why This Matters (Beyond Me)
We live in a time where cultural conversations are urgent. Heritage is being erased in some places, and commodified in others. In that context, telling stories like these — with care, with respect — becomes even more important.
As someone who works in the creative industries, I see firsthand how easily culture can be used as a trend without understanding its roots. I believe artists, designers, and storytellers have a responsibility: to honour the source, not just the surface.
Peranakan culture, to me, is a reminder that beauty is not just about design — it’s about depth.
A Note of Thanks
To everyone who shared stories, meals, memories, or resources with me during this series — thank you. Your generosity has helped me see the world with softer, more curious eyes.
To the Peranakan community — thank you for your resilience. For continuing to pass on stories that might otherwise be lost. For letting others like me walk beside you, even if only for a moment.
So… What Now?
This may be the last article in the 12-part Peranakan Culture series, but the conversations continue:
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I’ll keep spotlighting artists and creatives inspired by cultural heritage
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I’ll keep encouraging respectful storytelling in all creative spaces
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And I’ll keep learning — always.
Final Reflection
I often ask myself:
“How can I honour a culture that isn’t mine — without speaking over the people who live it every day?”
The answer I’ve found is this: By being a bridge, not a spotlight. By listening more than I speak. And by showing up with curiosity, humility, and gratitude.
To belong without inheritance is a strange and beautiful thing. I may not be Peranakan by blood — but through friendship, shared meals, and stories, I’ve found a place of quiet connection.
That is a gift I will never take for granted.
Your Turn
Reflection Prompt:
What’s one cultural story, ritual, or tradition that you’ve learned from — even if it’s not your own? How did it shape you?
I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments below or over on LinkedIn.
Thank you for walking beside me on this journey. May we all keep learning, listening, and honouring the cultures that shape our world.
—
Vinh Van Lam
Cultural Learner | Creative Ally | Founder of ArtSHINE
