Peranakan Chinese community in Terengganu keeping traditions alive

Terengganu Chinese Peranakan Association deputy president Yap Chuah Bin (holding a book) and his wife Song Eng Huat (second, left) explaining to university students in Kuala Terengganu about how the Cheng Mua Lang (sarong-wearing community) has made the East Coast state their home. Photo: Bernama

The Peranakan Chinese community is usually synonymous with the titles baba and nyonya, but in Terengganu, they are better known as Cheng Mua Lang, which means the "sarong-wearing community".

Terengganu Chinese Peranakan Association deputy president Yap Chuah Bin said the Peranakans can be found in Terengganu, Kelantan, Penang and Melaka and in each state, their identity is slightly different although they tend to adopt a large part of the Malay culture.