Writer: Lin Wenbo, Xi Boyu
Editor: Zhou Meng, Shi Yimai
BANGI, 24 Dec - On December 24th, at the Pusanika of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) campus, the Baba Nyonya Cultural Festival was organized by the Master of Business Administration （MBA） graduates of UKM Graduate School of Business（GSB）. This event showcased the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Baba Nyonya culture, attracting a large crowd of students and cultural enthusiasts.
(Source: Photography by Lin Wenbo)
During this cultural festival, the main highlight was the Baba Nyonya cultural fashion show, where the traditional cultural attire displayed all its rich and colourful cultural characteristics. Additionally, the festival's food-tasting event offered attendees the opportunity to sample a variety of Baba Nyonya cuisine, providing a unique sensory journey through Baba Nyonya culture. Moreover, the Baba Nyonya cultural festival also featured peripheral sales and a Nyonya makeup experience, allowing participants to immerse themselves in every aspect of the Baba Nyonya culture.
(Source: Photography by Lin Wenbo)
The main goal of the cultural festival was to enrich the understanding of UKM students about this traditional culture and to promote its continuation and development. On this matter, journalists from Nadi Bangi interviewed the event organizer Yu Hongli: "Our primary inspiration for creating this project stemmed from a deep interest in and love for Baba Nyonya culture. We noticed that the dissemination of this culture faces challenges in modern society, so we decided to plan this event to enhance the understanding and appreciation of UKM students."
He also further explained their choice of the Baba Nyonya culture, "It represents a typical example of cultural diversity and historical integration. In the fast-paced modern world, this unique culture might be overlooked, so we also hope to raise awareness and appreciation for this traditional culture through our project, promoting its preservation and inheritance."
Additionally, Wang Luyao, another organizer of the art festival, told journalists, "Specifically, we aim to enhance students' interest in and understanding of Baba Nyonya culture and attract broader student participation. We also hope to create a platform for exchange and learning, where participants can experience and understand every aspect of this culture firsthand. We hope they recognize the importance of protecting and maintaining cultural heritage and cultivate their respect and appreciation for cultural diversity."
Song Changyue, a participant in the makeup experience, said, "This Baba Nyonya cultural event was fantastic because it gave me a new understanding of this special culture. From the traditional attire to the makeup, every aspect was filled with cultural essence and artistic spirit. This experience deepened my understanding of Baba Nyonya culture, and it also made me realize that it is a living, continuously evolving cultural system."
Zheng Zhi, an international student from Fujian, China, expressed, "I find the traditional Baba Nyonya culture continued in Malaysia different I saw in Fujian. Here, the Baba Nyonya culture has integrated with the traditional cultural characteristics of Malaysia, gradually evolving into another unique form of art. Therefore, every aspect it presents is novel and meaningful."
The Baba Nyonya Cultural Festival held at UKM not only showcased a vibrant cultural heritage, but also ignited the enthusiasm of the youth for cultural preservation, highlighting their enhanced embrace and understanding of cultural diversity.
