Malacca Portuguese Settlement - HOME (original) (raw)
The success of Malacca in the 15th Century as the hub of the spice trade, its trading links with China, India and the Middle East, its strategic location in the Straits of Malacca and the favourable trade winds that converged in the region, brought the Portuguese to Malacca. In 1509 Diego Lopez de Sequeira became the first European to enter the city but unsuccessful to develop diplomatic relations because of customs ignorance. In 1511, Alfonso d'Albuquerque in the flagship "Flora de La Mar" with a flotilla of 18 ships sailed into the port and took Malacca by fire and sword. For the next 130 years the Portuguese ruled Malacca. This long period of Portuguese rule inevitably left its mark on Malacca and the effects of it can still be seen in the Malacca of today. One major legacy of Portuguese rule in Malacca was the emergence of a unique community. Some of the Portuguese in Malacca married local women. These Portuguese-native unions led to the emergence of a creole community who identified themselves as 'Kristang' (Christians). Today their descendants are categorized as "Others" in National Censuses. In 1824, by the terms of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty, Malacca came under British rule. Many of the Portuguese Eurasians lived in and around Bandar Hilir or Praya Lane, Tranquerah and Kubu. In the late 1920's these residents made an appeal to two missionaries, Rev. Father Pierre Francois and Rev. Father A.M.Coroado, for a settlement of their own. These priests bought the issues to the then the land of 28 acres was purchased for the purpose of creating a Portuguese Settlement around 1926. Situated about 4km from town the coastal land was drained and made habitable. The Settlement was opened in 1930 and initially reserved for the poor Portuguese Eurasian fishermen. Applications were opened and the first residents moved in along Texeira Road around 1935. While the original piece of land allocated for the settlement was 28 acres, 0.8 acres have been alienated to a customs complex and another 4 acres taken up by the Canossa Convent Secondary School. The remaining 22 acres consist of 118 dwelling houses, the Portuguese Square, food stalls and an open-air stage. The population of the settlement is 1,200 but during festive seasons when many native sons return to the settlement the population swells to between 2,000 to 3,000. The Portuguese Square was built in 1984, reminiscent of a typical coastal town in Portugal. Around the square there are restaurants and food-stalls, a pub and a mini-museum. Come Saturdays, at sundown, the eateries and the pub are filled with both tourists and locals of all generations. They flock in not just for the food, but also to watch concerts and traditional Portuguese dances, which are presented every Saturday, weather permitting. The State Government and the residents themselves are committed to preserving the settlement not just as a tourist attraction but to ensure that the culture and traditions of a minority community survives the continuous on slaught of rapid economic development. The State Government is in constant dialogue with the Village Council to find ways and means of improving the Settlement not just as a 'home' for the Eurasian community but preserving the Portuguese heritage in Malacca's past for posterity. The Village Council is working with linguistic scholars to codify the dialect of the community (Papia Kristang) and come out with a Papia Kristang dictionary to ensure the survival of this dialect. By sponsoring the performance of traditional dances at the Portuguese Square and financially subsidizing the dance troupes, the Council hopes to promote the this art form among the younger residents.
LanguagePapia Kristang and Christao as the dialect is called evolved. It is a mixture of old Portuguese influenced by Malay, English..>>Religion The Portuguese Eurasians are staunch Catholics. They attend church services conducted at St Peter's Church or St Francis' Church..>>The Rituals Baptism, Wedding & Engagement, Death & Funeral..>>Lifestyle They love music and dancing and their songs and music pulsate to the beat of the joget or ronggeng..>>Dances There are two types of Portuguese dance. One is the Branyo and the other is Farepeirra..>>Village Administration The administration of the village is in the hands of a 'regedor' or headman..>>Associations Portuguese-Eurasian Associations that links the community..>>The FoodThe MuseumThe Culture ShowThe SceneryThe EventsCottage IndustriesBooks Be a part of an everlasting memory. Leave your mark as a living legacy. View | SignHow to get to Portuguese Settlement.Local Map of Portuguese Settlement.
The success of Malacca in the 15th Century as the hub of the spice trade, its trading links with China, India and the Middle East, its strategic location in the Straits of Malacca and the favourable trade winds that converged in the region, brought the Portuguese to Malacca. In 1509 Diego Lopez de Sequeira became the first European to enter the city but unsuccessful to develop diplomatic relations because of customs ignorance. In 1511, Alfonso d'Albuquerque in the flagship "Flora de La Mar" with a flotilla of 18 ships sailed into the port and took Malacca by fire and sword. For the next 130 years the Portuguese ruled Malacca. This long period of Portuguese rule inevitably left its mark on Malacca and the effects of it can still be seen in the Malacca of today. One major legacy of Portuguese rule in Malacca was the emergence of a unique community. Some of the Portuguese in Malacca married local women. These Portuguese-native unions led to the emergence of a creole community who identified themselves as 'Kristang' (Christians). Today their descendants are categorized as "Others" in National Censuses. 
In 1824, by the terms of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty, Malacca came under British rule. Many of the Portuguese Eurasians lived in and around Bandar Hilir or Praya Lane, Tranquerah and Kubu. In the late 1920's these residents made an appeal to two missionaries, Rev. Father Pierre Francois and Rev. Father A.M.Coroado, for a settlement of their own. These priests bought the issues to the then the land of 28 acres was purchased for the purpose of creating a Portuguese Settlement around 1926. Situated about 4km from town the coastal land was drained and made habitable. The Settlement was opened in 1930 and initially reserved for the poor Portuguese Eurasian fishermen. Applications were opened and the first residents moved in along Texeira Road around 1935. 
While the original piece of land allocated for the settlement was 28 acres, 0.8 acres have been alienated to a customs complex and another 4 acres taken up by the Canossa Convent Secondary School. The remaining 22 acres consist of 118 dwelling houses, the Portuguese Square, food stalls and an open-air stage. The population of the settlement is 1,200 but during festive seasons when many native sons return to the settlement the population swells to between 2,000 to 3,000. The Portuguese Square was built in 1984, reminiscent of a typical coastal town in Portugal. Around the square there are restaurants and food-stalls, a pub and a mini-museum. Come Saturdays, at sundown, the eateries and the pub are filled with both tourists and locals of all generations. They flock in not just for the food, but also to watch concerts and traditional Portuguese dances, which are presented every Saturday, weather permitting. 
The State Government and the residents themselves are committed to preserving the settlement not just as a tourist attraction but to ensure that the culture and traditions of a minority community survives the continuous on slaught of rapid economic development. The State Government is in constant dialogue with the Village Council to find ways and means of improving the Settlement not just as a 'home' for the Eurasian community but preserving the Portuguese heritage in Malacca's past for posterity. The Village Council is working with linguistic scholars to codify the dialect of the community (Papia Kristang) and come out with a Papia Kristang dictionary to ensure the survival of this dialect. By sponsoring the performance of traditional dances at the Portuguese Square and financially subsidizing the dance troupes, the Council hopes to promote the this art form among the younger residents.
Language Papia Kristang and Christao as the dialect is called evolved. It is a mixture of old Portuguese influenced by Malay, English..>> Religion The Portuguese Eurasians are staunch Catholics. They attend church services conducted at St Peter's Church or St Francis' Church..>> The Rituals Baptism, Wedding & Engagement, Death & Funeral..>> Lifestyle They love music and dancing and their songs and music pulsate to the beat of the joget or ronggeng..>> Dances There are two types of Portuguese dance. One is the Branyo and the other is Farepeirra..>> Village Administration The administration of the village is in the hands of a 'regedor' or headman..>>Associations Portuguese-Eurasian Associations that links the community..>> 
The Food The Museum The Culture Show The Scenery The Events 
Cottage Industries Books 
Be a part of an everlasting memory. Leave your mark as a living legacy. View | Sign 
How to get to Portuguese Settlement. Local Map of Portuguese Settlement. 