When Malays cook Beef Rendang, Nasi Lemak or Sambal, it's unhealthy, fattening and greasy. When chinese peranakan people cook them it's traditional, delicious and exotic.

I don't know enough about peranakan culture and its origins to say anything much and I acknowledge that. I also know that I clearly have prejudice against peranakan because it looks to me like chinese people calling malay/indonesian culture theirs (read:appropriation?)

And that doesnt sit right with me because 1) you have your own culture and 2) often times, malays get a lot of flack for doing the same things peranakam people do (basically double standards and racism)

But in the process of learning I have to ask:
1) Is peranakan culture appropriation, or is it just the result of assimilation? From my knowledge peranakan refers to the group of chinese people who marry into malay/indonesian families.

If this is the case then it wiuld make sense that the chinese people cook traditionally malay food, wear kebayas, and partake in mainly malay culture, especially in a country filled with malays, like Singapore. It's essentially for survival, right?

And in a country like Singapore, mixing (or rather, sharing) cultural practices and cuisines was bound to happen, so then it would make sense that our origins have certain similarities.

2) So why am I angry when I see Malay food and clothing being sold as peranakan?
After a lot of reflection, I think I'm mostly angry because people sell peranakan culture to be this exotic, beautiful culture, but don't want to acknowledge its malay/indo roots.

Why can you appreciate peranakan people, think they're beautiful, their clothing and lifestyle are interesting and unique but when it comes to the malay/indos you don't give the same respect? Know your roots and acknowledge them.

Well again, I don't know enough and I'll keep learning. Good morning and Salam Jumaat! Mayhaps I want to wear a kebarung because all this kebaya talk is making me feel classy

Aik as soon as I sat in my Grab, the radio DJ started talking about peranakan nasi lemak that is selling at 12.50

Ok last point to add (or rather, emphasise): I am not criticising Peranakans. How is it their fault that they are born Peranakan? I was merely pointing out 2 things:
1) There is a CLEAR injustice about how Malay food is represented in media vs how Peranakan food is.

Why is that important? Bc media influences people. So if we keep seeing articles written about how Malay people are all fat and unhealthy because of their food, when other people are eating the SAME thing, then the masses will think the same.

I cannot and WILL NOT blame Peranakans for the poor representation of Malays in media. It's illogical and unfair.

2) Peranakans should acknowledge that part of their culture is borrowed from Malay/Indo culture (which is FINE bc assimilation and intergration).

There are Peranakans who aren't self-aware trying to disassociate Peranakan culture from Malay/Indo culture. How are you going to do that when the word Peranakan is LITERALLY a malay word?? (There are many more self aware Peranakans who are teaching me new things s/o to yall!!)

3) I'm not hating on Peranakans!! This thread was my reflection on MY prejudice and lack of knowledge that I know I have and am actively working on. If anyone wants to tell me about their Peranakan roots, my DMs are open always!
Tamat

P.S: I really don't care about babi... I'm not trying to claim babi, I promise.