Peranakan

Peranakan is a word that describes people who have a mixed heritage of Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures. Imagine you have a friend named Lily who has a Chinese mom and an Indonesian dad. She might be considered a Peranakan because she grew up with both Chinese and Indonesian customs.

Peranakan people have a unique culture that blends Chinese and Southeast Asian traditions. For example, they might eat Chinese-style dumplings but add Southeast Asian spices and ingredients to make them more flavorful. They might also wear traditional Chinese clothing but with colorful, intricate patterns that reflect Southeast Asian art.

Peranakan culture developed over many years as Chinese people migrated to different parts of Southeast Asia and adopted local customs. While each Peranakan community may have slight differences in their customs and traditions, they all share a common background in mixing Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures.