Scribd
Upload
32 views2 pages

Confusion Over Portuguese Identity

The residents of the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca are unhappy that outsiders identify them as "Kristang" rather than Portuguese. The Kristang label is used to describe their culture, traditions, and cuisine, as well as referring to the village itself. However, most residents, including singing legend Joel Deli, regard themselves as Malayisan Portuguese and maintain they should be properly identified as such. They are descendants of Portuguese warriors who conquered Malacca in 1511 and intermarried with locals. While born in Malaysia, they have maintained Portuguese culture, language, songs, dances, and traditions. They want the "Kristang" label to stop being used as it damages their identity.

Uploaded by

Memori Melaka
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
32 views2 pages

Confusion Over Portuguese Identity

The residents of the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca are unhappy that outsiders identify them as "Kristang" rather than Portuguese. The Kristang label is used to describe their culture, traditions, and cuisine, as well as referring to the village itself. However, most residents, including singing legend Joel Deli, regard themselves as Malayisan Portuguese and maintain they should be properly identified as such. They are descendants of Portuguese warriors who conquered Malacca in 1511 and intermarried with locals. While born in Malaysia, they have maintained Portuguese culture, language, songs, dances, and traditions. They want the "Kristang" label to stop being used as it damages their identity.

Uploaded by

Memori Melaka
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Confusion over Portuguese identity

Posted on 28 December 2007 - 10:54pm

The Portuguese Settlement residents are unhapp that outsiders identi! them as "ristang and not Portuguese# The "ristang label is also used to describe their culture$ traditions and cuisine# %&en the &illage is called the "ristang &illage# The 'ord "ristang$ in Portuguese$ means (hristian and it re!ers to a person)s religion$ not ethnicit # *ost residents$ including singing legend +oel ,eli-$ 75$ regarded as !ather o! *ala sian Portuguese (ulture$ !irml maintain that the residents in the 72- ear-old &illage should be properl identi!ied as *ala sian Portuguese# The Portuguese at the Settlement$ 'hom . ha&e researched !or some 25 ears$ are descendents o! Portuguese 'arriors 'ho con/uered *alacca in 1511 and mostl intermarried 'ith locals# The $ li0e their !ore!athers$ are *ala sian born and ha&e no contact 'ith their ancestors) countr $ Portugal$ e-cept$ !or cultural &isits or as tourists# The residents sa that there are man reasons 'h the should be addressed as *ala sian Portuguese# Their *ala sian birth certi!icate identi!ies them as Portuguese# The spea0 eight percent o! the 11th centur original Portuguese language and practise the Portuguese culture besides maintaining the Portuguese songs$ dances$ !esti&als and traditions# The communit 'as recognised as Portuguese 'hen the go&ernment o!!ered the 2manah Saham +asional onl to those practising the Portuguese culture# The mo&e meant that the *ala sian Portuguese# 'ere gi&en o!!icial recognition !or the !irst time as

3o' the 'ord "ristang came to be used 'idel b others is unclear but it doing great damage to the Portuguese residents) identit # The strongl !eel that the 'rong usage o! the "ristang 'ord should stop immediatel # 3o' can it be done4 Perhaps$ a con!erence in&ol&ing &arious Portuguese leaders and other interested groups$ including the 5egedor)s panel and *alacca Portuguese-%urasian 2ssociation$ can be organised to promote the residents) proper identit and image# The Portuguese should also !orm a +ational *ala sian Portuguese (ouncil 'hich could act as the sole &oice and o!!icial bod to deal 'ith issues a!!ecting them#

S.T. Rajagopal Kuala Lumpur

You might also like