Nyonya Heritage Golden Trail - 7 July 2011

Sis roped me in to be one of the nyonyas participating in this year's Georgetown Heritage Day celebrations.

Dressing in nyonya garb is always a fun thing but this was an extraordinary experience because we were bedecked with multi-million ringgit antique jewellery from the private collection of Mr Soon of the Peranakan Mansion. So, even though it was a mere 2 days before my 'bee's wedding, I agreed to to be one of the nyonyas.

It took us three hours to dress up before we assumed our positions beside the portraits of elegant and dignified nyonyas of bygone days at an exhibition on the Peranakan Straits Chinese: The Women. These portraits were part of a private collection and were only displayed in public for the first time at the the exhibition which was held at the Peranakan Mansion.

Living nyonyas beside the protraits of nyonyas of bygone days

The Chief Minister Tuan Lim Guan Eng
admiring the many rings adorning Lillian's fingers

One ring caught the CM's wife's eye.
He told her, "Look only."

Lillian dressed as the 3rd day bride
with Auntie Rosie beside her

Lillian's attire and jewellery were the most elaborate and expensive among the five of us. But the most expensive piece of jewellery was worn by Auntie Rosie. She was the only one who could wear a pair of 8-carat diamond earrings that cost more than half-a-million ringgit! The rest of us oiled the posts (pantat) of the earrings and pushed with all our might (until we cried) but our ear holes were too small and the pantat could not go in in.

Auntie Rosie was a true grand lady that day
with her 8-carat diamond earrings

Lillian sitting in the bridal chamber
in her full 3rd day bride regalia

Lillian's 3rd day bride's head-dress
with golden birds with dangly decorations

My not-so-elaborate head-dress

Our gold-threaded slippers and anklets

Auntie Rosie, Irene and me

Close-up of Irene's jade jewellery set

Rosie, Dorothy and I. Dorothy was dressed
in nyonya mourning attire with silver accessories

I was privileged to be the first person
to wear this rich wine-coloured baju panjang

Close-up of the jewellery I wore

The hong buey or phoenix tail earring I wore
that reminded me of the pair mom had

After the CM had left, we spent time taking fun pictures.

Two nyonyas gossiping

Baba teasing Nyonya

And Nyonya loves it!