Every culture has a melody — a rhythm that carries its stories, emotions, and memories across generations.
For me, that melody found its voice through “Together, We Remember,” a song born from my blog series Discovering Peranakan Culture: A Journey of Learning, Love, and Respect.
The Inspiration Behind the Song
As I explored the world of Peranakan culture through twelve reflective articles, I found myself immersed in a universe of colour, craftsmanship, and community. Each post became a window into a living heritage — where food told stories, homes whispered memories, and fashion carried family pride.
From the intricate embroidery of the kebaya to the fragrant spice of ayam buah keluak, every detail I learned revealed not only beauty but belonging. Even though I’m not Peranakan by heritage, my journey — from Vietnam to Indonesia, and later to Sydney — always seemed to cross paths with this vibrant culture.
Through writing, I found myself reconnecting with shared values of love, respect, and remembrance that bind all Asian diasporas. And as I reflected on these experiences, the idea for a song began to grow.
How the Song Came to Life
“Together, We Remember” was not written in a studio — it was written from the heart.
Every lyric draws directly from my Discovering Peranakan Culture blog series:
- From “Peranakan Food: A Fusion of Flavour and Heritage,” came the warmth of kitchens and laughter around shared meals.
- From “Threads of Memory,” came the image of mothers and daughters beading dreams together, one stitch at a time.
- From “Keepers of the Flame,” came the reverence for elders who protect and pass down traditions.
- And from “Cultural Appreciation, Not Appropriation,” came the message of walking with respect and heart — not taking from culture, but celebrating it together.
I wanted to write something that young and old could sing side by side — a song of reunion and gratitude.
A melody that could echo through family gatherings, festivals, and community halls, reminding us that heritage is not just about ancestry — it’s about connection.
Video Clip -Together, We remember
The Meaning of “Together, We Remember”
At its core, this song is a celebration of togetherness.
It’s for the grandparents who kept recipes alive, the parents who taught us to bow with respect, and the children now learning to say “thank you” in the language of their ancestors.
It’s about keeping our roots alive — whether through art, song, food, or memory — and realising that culture is a bridge, not a boundary.
The chorus says it best:
Together, we remember, together we sing,
Old hearts and young hands, the joy that we bring.
From kitchen to temple, from stories to art,
Peranakan pride beats strong in our heart.
These lines capture the essence of Peranakan spirit — the merging of traditions, the interweaving of lives, and the beauty of carrying the past proudly into the future.
A Song for the Community
I wrote “Together, We Remember” for everyone who calls the Peranakan community home — whether by birth, marriage, or admiration. It’s a song for shared tables and festive nights, for remembering those who came before us and celebrating those who will carry the flame forward.
This piece is also a reminder to all of us — that to preserve culture, we must live it, sing it, and pass it on with love.
The Journey Continues
As this song joins the Discovering Peranakan Culture series, it marks not an ending, but a continuation. The series began with curiosity, grew through understanding, and now lives on through melody.
Because culture, at its heart, is not static — it breathes, it dances, and it sings.
Listen to the song “Together, We Remember” — A Celebration of the Peranakan Community.
Coming soon on Spotify, YouTube, and ArtSHINE Music.
