HISTORY
According to a popular legend, Parameswara was resting under a tree near a river during a hunt, when one of his dogs cornered a mouse deer. In self defence, the mouse deer pushed the dog into the river. Impressed by the courage of the deer, and taking it as a propitous omen of the weak overcoming the powerful, Parameswara decided then and there to found an empire on that very spot. He named it 'Melaka' after the tree where he had just taken shelter at, the Melaka tree.
A'Famosa
Although the remains of Porta De Santiago, built by the Portugese as a fortress in 1511 are nothing more than a quick photo stop. It is a must for anyone visiting Malacca. The Dutch destroyed most of the fort but what remains today was saved by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1810. The Romanesque architecture as well as the cool breezes wafting through the ruined walls will make your exploration a pleasant one.
Melaka Botanical Gardens
Formerly known as the Hutan Rekreasi Ayer Keroh was established in 2006 and is encircled by a forest that contains over 300 species of flora and fauna. The cheesy yet cute thing about this park is the collection of giant stone carvings of prehistoric animals that were indigenous to this area, scattered all around the park.
Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum
At the beginning of the 16th century, merchants and entrepreneurs were lured to Malacca's shores due to stories of the city's burgeoning success and wealth. In particular the city saw an influx of Chinese traders who arrived in droves in an effort to escape Manchu ruin.
Bukit Cina
The ancestral burial ground of Malacca's Chinese community, Bukit Cina also known as Chinese Hill is the largest and oldest Chinese graveyard outside of China itself with over 12500 graves as well as 20 Muslim tombs.
Nyonya Laksa
The laksa is pungent, rich and well flavored from the spices and chillies. The aroma is super tempting. The food melts and takes you into heaven.
Klebang Coconut Milkshake
It is a concoction of coconut water, flesh, ice cube and vanilla ice cream blended together in a mixer. The natural sweet and creamy are so refreshing that one serving is not enough.
Duck Noodle
The latter is tossed in thick gravy and topped with shredded duck meat. This comes with small bowl of soup. The soup is also decent.
Malay social organizations in Melaka is divided into two, namely those customary Temenggong the family of the wife by the husband and customs Perpatih, where the husband by the wife's family.
Malay women wear loose clothing and long sleeves called baju and sarong worn with little or tight clothes baju kebaya. Malay Male Malay dress worn with loose pants with a cloth known as well as tied at the waist. For weddings and feasts, songket cloth to be used as well. Traditions and other characters of the Malays as illustrated in the song Love Dondang Malay martial arts such as Silat Melayu.
The Chinese came to Malacca since the mass migration of Chinese from South province in central China. Communities such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese still follow customs, traditions, food, language and their cultural characteristics.
Indians in Melaka are the Tamils of South India where they inhabit the rubber. However, there are also among those who work in the business of jewelry, fabrics, retailers, merchants and money-lenders.
Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Chinese in Malacca is where their ancestors came and married local women. Such intermarriage has produced a unique Chinese culture and Malay traditions.
Baba and Nyonya ethnic introduced unique furniture, porcelain and crockery, style and delicious food that can only be found in Malacca. Nyonya race wore kebaya with "brooches" various forms and jewelry made from silver or gold.
As well as Baba and Nyonya, Melaka has a small community called Chitty of people of Indian origin procreation or children of Indian traders who married Malay women. Village known as Kampung Chitty and is located towards the west Maman Elephant Road, one mile northwest of Chinatown. The entrance to the village is adorned with carved elephants Mutamariman adjacent to the temple. Like Kampung Morten, it is a beautiful area to visit and see the village houses are characterized by Malay villages. The best time to visit is during Mariamman Festival or Festival Mayor Char-char in May. It is a Hindu festival where you may have the opportunity to witness the Indian wedding ceremony.
Ethnic Portuguese in Malacca
provides traditional life, language, customs and music that appears
unique. The most popular dance is Beranyo and Frapeirra. Christians also
celebrate festivals with great including Christmas Day and Easter Festival San Pedra.
Religious place
Church of Christ, Church of St. Paul, Vinayagar Moorthi Temple Sri Poyyatha, Kampung Kling Mosque, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Mosque, Church St. Peter, Sam Poh Kong Temple and the Lamb.
