2269) "Baba Nyonya Culture", Malaysia: A Special Fibre Embroidered Stamp Sheet of RM 35 (Ringgit Malaysian) issued by Pos Malaysia Berhad (Malaysian Post): Date of Embroidered Stamp issue: 12.02.2015:
Philately (Stamp Collecting) today:
Postage Stamps are going places - literally - and I mean not only travelling from one destination to another, they are undergoing several innovations, as well.
For example, who would have thought of having a Mahatma Gandhi stamp printed on Khadi Cloth, making a bold statement on recycling by issuing a stamp made out of recycled plastic bottle thread, Crypto Stamps - having a postage stamp and a Non-Fungible Token (NFT), stamps made on fiber glass or glass, stamps printed on leather, Embroidered Stamps etc.
This is one such example:
The Pernakan Ethnic Group - Origins:
The Peranakans, (sometimes referred to as the Straits Chinese or Straits–born Chinese), are an ethnic group defined by their genealogical descent from the first waves of Southern Chinese settlers in maritime Southeast Asia, known as "Nanyang" (meaning "Southern Ocean"), namely the British Colonial ruled ports in the Malay Peninsula, the Indonesian Archipelago as well as Singapore.
Peranakan culture:
Peranakan culture, especially in the dominant Peranakan centres of Malacca, Singapore, Penang and Medan, is characterized by its unique hybridization of ancient Chinese culture with the local cultures of the Nusantara region, the result of a centuries-long history of transculturation and interracial marriage.
The Peranakan retained most of their ethnic and religious origins (such as ancestor worship), but assimilated the language and culture of the Malays.
The Baba & Nyonya Heritage:
The Babas & Nyonyas referred to the descendants of late 15th to 19th century Chinese immigrants to the Malay archipelago. "Baba" is the address for the "men", and "Nyonya" for the "women".
The Babas & Nyonyas are partially assimilated into the Malay culture, especially in food, dress and spoken language, while retaining some of the Chinese traditions and culture such as religion, name, folk medicine and festivals.
"Baba Byonya" (Peranakan), is the term used popularly for descendants of early Chinese immigrants to the Nusantara region, including both the British Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca and Penang, and the Dutch controlled island of Java among other areas, who have partially adopted Malay customs in an effort to be assimilated into the local communities.
The Nyonya's clothing, "Baju Panjang" ("Long Dress") was adapted from the native Malay's "Baju Kurung". It is worn with a "Batik Sarong" ("batik wrap-around skirt") and three "Kerosang" ("brooches").
Peranakan beaded slippers called "Kasot Manek" were hand-made with much skill and patience: strung, beaded and sewn onto canvas with tiny faceted glass cut beads (known as Manek Potong) from Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic).The beaded slippers is one of the most popular Nyonya object still found today.
The technique of making such footwear is also one of the few crafts leftover from the golden age of the Baba & Nyonya. The beaded slippers were either opened face or covered. The popular motives used for the pattern were flowers, birds, butterflies and fruits.
Nyonyaware is characterized by its decorative motives and the most vivid and colourful familiar rose enamels. The stamp features a covered jar called ‘Kamcheng’ – variously used as a container for water, pickles and other types of food. Also featured are ceramic spoons, plate and cups with features of phoenix and peonies – symbols of prosperity and good fortune.
About the Baba Nyonya Embroidery work:
The earliest photos showing wearing kebaya date to the 1920s. The Nyonya Kabaya came to be identified with change. As it eclipsed its precursor, the baju panjang, it signal the emergence of the new Nyonya : modern, feminine and sensual. The rising of hemlines and the groqing decline of modest Victorian fashions in the west, as well as tightening of the silhouette in the popular Chinese cheongsam in China’s fashionable cities, was paralleled by the emergence of the Nyonya Kabaya.
The fabric of the Nyonya Kabaya is called “Kasar Rubia (Voile)”. Voile is a sheer, light-weight, plain weave fabric, made of highly twisted yarns. Often made of cotton yarns, voile has a distinctive two-ply warp and is slightly heavier than other sheer fabrics. Voile come in a variety of colors, from plain white to black, and almost every shade of blue, red, pink, green and purple in between.
From the way the Kabaya blouses wrapped the bodies of their wearers to the stunning colors and embroidered designs, the Nyonya kebaya is not merely a dress, it is a work of art.
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum:
"Baba Nyonya House Museum" (Malay: "Muzium Warisan Baba Nyonya"), also known as the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, is a museum in Malacca City, Malacca, Malaysia that showcases the local history of ethnic Chinese-Malays called Baba-Nyonya or Peranakan in the state.
The museum was established in 1986 by Chan Kim Lay, the fourth generation of his family to reside in the large house built by his great-grandfather in 1896 in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a street also known as "Millionaire's Row" for its luxurious houses. The museum is known for its elaborate woodwork, furniture, and porcelain.
The Baba Nyonya 35 RM (Ringgit Malaysian) Baba Nyonya Embroidered Stamp:
The Miniature Sheet (MS) is titled - "Warisan - Baba Nyonya - The Baba & Nyonya Heritage". After the success of the stamp design in International exhibitions, this stamp (RM 35 - Ringgit Malaysian) was brought out in 2015 with the embroidered work on it.
The Baba & Nyonya Miniature Sheet highlights the intricate motif and craftsmanship and features a composition of Malaysian fruit, with holes cut on the paper resembling the embroidery.
The Description on the Miniature Sheet reads:
Nyonya Kabaya Embroidery:
"The Nyonya kabaya first appeared only in the early 20th century. The early versions features rather simple embroidery work, but later, especially from the 1960s onwards, a more exquisite and intricate embroidery began to emerge.
While the early Kabayas are hand sewn, the Nyonya kebaya today is embroidered using the sewing machine with flower motives being the favourite theme.
This Miniature Sheet features a Nyonya Kabaya, which won the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicraft 2012."
Technical Specifications:
Date of Embroidered Stamp issue: 12.02.2015
Denomination of Stamp: RM 35
Miniature Sheet Size: 85.00 mm x 100.00 mm
Stamp Size: 50.00 mm x 60.00 mm
Technique: Lithography & Embroidery
Paper: Yellow Green Phosphor 102 gsm
Printer: Cartor Security Printing
Designer: Reign Associates Sdn Bhd
(The above Miniature Stamp Sheet is from the collection of Jayant Biswas. Post researched and written by Rajeev Prasad)
Rsanker Sharma has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very nice and informative post."
Thank you Sharma sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Excellently compiled post."
Thank you, Trikha sahab.
Delete