Hoping Nyonya kebaya makes the cut

Showcase of culture: Association members taking part in the shooting of a Baba Nyonya Chinese New Year and Chap Goh Meh programme at Pinang Peranakan Mansion in Church Street, Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: A long time ago, when global trade depended on the monsoons, Chinese sea merchants stayed in Melaka or Penang awaiting for the arrivals of traders from Arab and Europe.

Some of them married the locals, which eventually led to a unique sub-culture called the Peranakan (Straits Chinese) today.