Nyonya

Nyonya refers to women of the Peranakan, or Straits Chinese, community in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore. The term is Malay for "lady" and is used alongside the male counterpart Baba. The Baba–Nyonya culture, or Peranakan culture, developed among descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in the Malay Peninsula and Singapore and intermarried with local Malay and other Southeast Asian populations from the 15th century onward.

As a hybrid culture, Nyonya identity blends Chinese and Malay influences in language, food, dress, and customs. The language spoken by many Nyonya groups is Baba Malay, a Malay-based creole with Chinese loanwords; older and some contemporary communities may also speak other Chinese dialects or Mandarin. Daily life reflects a fusion of traditions, with families maintaining Chinese ceremonial practices while adopting Malay social norms.

Nyonya cuisine is a hallmark of the culture, incorporating coconut milk, lemongrass, tamarind, galangal, and a variety of spices. Dishes such as asam pedas, ayam buah keluak, and laksa nyonya illustrate the fusion of Chinese cooking techniques with Malay and Southeast Asian ingredients.

Traditional attire for Nyonya women features the kebaya, often paired with a batik or songket sarong, and ornate beadwork and embroidery. Nyonya arts and crafts, including embroidery, porcelain, and beaded footwear, reflect hybrid aesthetics.

Geographically, Nyonya communities have long been centered in Melaka (Malacca), Penang, and Singapore, with diasporic communities across Southeast Asia. While modern changes have reshaped demographics, the Peranakan culture remains a distinct and celebrated aspect of regional history.