Melaka culture is a tapestry woven over six centuries of diverse ethnic customs, folklore and traditions. The harmonious co-existence of people of different cultures and religions inherited from centuries of multi-racial living has produced the fluid intermingling of the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Babas and Nyonyas, Portuguese, Chitty and the Eurasians. Each ethnic group adds to the pluralistic and ever changing society of the people of Melaka that is itself a group of diverse, friendly and hospitable people.
Each of these races hold steadfastly to its respective traditions and heritage which is infused in the different areas including food, religious customs and festivals, cultures, dances, architecture, dressing, jewelry and handicraft.
Today, Melaka has a lot to offer its tourists in terms of its rich, varied cultures, ethnic customs, historical sites, and religious festivals and traditional celebrations within the city itself and in the outlying districts of Alor Gajah and Jasin.
The Malay social organization in Melaka is divided between the practice of the Adat Temenggong, which is patrilineal and more pervasive in several districts, and the Adat Perpatih, which is matrilineal.
Malay women wear loose, long-sleeved tunics called baju kurungworn over a sarong or a tight fitting kebaya. Malay men wear collarless shirts called baju Melayu worn over loose trousers with colourful cloth known as kain samping tied around their waist. For weddings and religious feasts or special occassions, the kain songket replaces the kain samping. Other indigenous traditions and characteristics are portrayed in the songs such as Dondang Sayang Melayu and the arts of self-defense such as silat (Malay).
The Chinese had flocked to Melaka since the early days of mass migration from the southern provinces of China. The various clans of Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese Chinese still adhere to their individual customs, traditions, food, languages and cultural characteristics with each clan usually specialising in its particular trade.
Most Indians in Melaka are Tamils from South India who had, in the early days mostly inhabited the rubber plantations. However, it is not unusual to see them in various areas of trade including jewelry and fabric shops, whilst some are retail traders, merchants and money lenders.
Babas and Nyonyas are Melaka's straits-born Chinese or Peranakans (meanging "born here") whose lineage traces back hundreds of years when their descendents arrived and inter-married with the local women. From these mixed marriages evolved a unique culture which retains Chinese customs and Malay traditions.
The Babas and Nyonyas introduced unique furniture, porcelain and chinaware, dress style and delicious food to be found only in Melaka. The Nyonya women dress in sarrong kebaya with Malay decorative brooches and intricately designed jewelry of silver and gold.
As well as the Baba-Nyonyas, Melaka also has a small community of Chitty - Straits born Indians, offsprings of the Indian traders who intermarried with Malay women. Their area of town, known as Kampung Chitty, lies to the west of Jalan Gajah Behrang, about a kilometre northwest of o Chinatown; look for the archway with elephant sculptures beside the Mutamariman Temple. Like Kampung Morten, it's a pretty district in which to wander and see traditional Malay-style houses. The best time to visit is during the Mariamman Festival or Pesta Datuk Char-char in May, a Hindu celebration when you might also be fortunate enough to witness a traditional Indian wedding ceremony.
Melaka houses the famed Portuguese settlement of Malaysia, founded in 1930. The residents more frequently refer to this settlement as Padre Sua Chang (Priest's Land) in honour of its founders. The community that lives in this settlement are mostly Eurasians of Portuguese descent and make their living mostly as fishermen. The Portuguese are very religious Catholics and speak a language called Cristang (Cristao).
The Portuguese presence in Melaka provides an infusion of a traditional lifestyle, language, customs and music which is indeeed unique. The most popular dance is the Beranyo and the Frapeirra. Christian festivals are celebrated with great splendour and gaiety including Christmas, San Pedro's Fest and Easter.
Religious places worth visiting include the Christ Church, St. Francis Xavier's Church, St. Paul's Church, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi temple, Kampong Kling Mosque, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampung Hulu Mosque, St. Peter's Church, Sam Poh Kong Temple and Tanquerah Mosque.
