My late grandmother was a nyonya. She used to wear kebaya, a traditonal Malay costume, on special occasions. I love this book about Kebaya, so I am sharing some of the wonderful images from the book. Nyonyas and Babas are Chinese descendants originally from China. When arrived here in Malaya (then the old name for Malaysia), they created this marriage of of Malay-Chinese customs, thus creating whole new fusion of food and culture.
I just love old black + white pictures, very nostalgic.
A peek into a traditonal Nyonya house.
Beautiful kebayas.
Love this kebaya..wish I could fit into it :)
Spiral stairs common in Nyonya houses.
Chinese lantern, very common.
More kebayas..
Have a great weekend everyone!
Absolutely beautiful kebayas! I've been saying I have to get myself one but ... Would you know where to get a nicely stitched one and affordable?
ReplyDeleteThey are absolutely wonderful! Everything seems to be so pretty and elegant in your part of the world:)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Hugs
Joo
Been away for a while and saw you old comments in my blog. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the bit of history. A kebaya is a beautifully done garment. I'd really like to see one in person.
ReplyDeleteDarla
wow absolutely gorgeous My favourite is that pink top
ReplyDeletebeautiful! ! ! ! ! ! !
ReplyDeleteGorgeous "history" book!
ReplyDeleteA very interesting post thankyou for this.
ReplyDeleteHow fascinating M! Your photos of the lovely book are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful book! The kebayas are so elegant – I hope women still wear them on special occasions.
ReplyDeleteOh la la... this would be a great giveaway, isn't it? LoL...
ReplyDeleteI love the pattern of the cloth. Still using in our country in special occasions.
Hope you're enjoying your w/end.
Happy SSS...
Greetings from icy Stockholm,
/chie
Just beautiful..but a beautiful people too..
ReplyDeleteHaven't been around and have to get back into the swing of things..had and eye problem..but nothing much..just kept me from doing my blog..
Hope all is well with everyone..Soon spring will be here, I hope..Winter was pretty mild..I better keep quiet, it might prove me wrong.
Have a happy day..sending love you you all, Carolyn
WOW...such delicious beauty! LOVE the costumes... :o) Happy Day, M.Kate ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThe kebayas are just lovely. I might need to come to Malaysia just to get one! Have a great day - it's been way too long since I've visited your beautiful blog! The new layout (new to me) is lovely, by the way.
ReplyDeleteHi M.Kate! Sorry for the absence, but time has been at a premium here... ;)
ReplyDeleteLovely kebayas!!
Blogtrotter Two has reached April 2011; no trips, and posting delay is shortening... ;). Enjoy and have a great weekend!!!
What exquisite outfits! The attention to detail on them is amazing. I am a fan of spiral staircases too. Sorry I am slow to start blog reading again. I have had a paintbrush or roller in my hand most days.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are beautiful! People called me 'nyonya' in Indonesia and I thought it simply meant 'foreign lady' but now I understand the history of the word better. My kebaya--long gone. I wanted a dark blue one but the seamstress said no. I was too young for dark blue. She made me a pink top. :)
ReplyDeleteOh la la how beautiful these Kebayas are, I think I'm going to get one for myself soon, I just love them as much as you do. Also love all Perankan culture. Have a great week end too, MKate.
ReplyDeleteI bought my first nonya top and wore it during world day or prayer for malaysia.
ReplyDeleteAre you Maryam Kathrine lim? She send friend request to my facebook, and I ignored her until now, it click, may be it's you.