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THE PERANAKAN
"...the historic seaside town comes alive"
By Colin Chee |
01-Apr-07 | In case you don't know yet, there is an interesting and extremely well-researched book on Malacca, or to be more accurate, Malacca's many historic streets. But from the stories weaved around these, the historic seaside town comes alive.
The book is called "Malacca: Voices from the Street". You cannot possibly miss this thick 368-page tome if you happen to be at Peter Wee's shop in Katong. It sits there on the table, inviting you to at least turn its pages. The book's cover features one of Malacca's Indian temples. But you would not know this until you see the caption inside.
Written and published by Lim Huck Chin and Fernando Jorge, the book is an obvious labour of love. "We began by listening" say the authors in the book's Foreword. A little bit of poetry, perhaps, but enough to bait your eyes to linger longer on what they have to say.
The research traces the past and present history of some thirty Malaccan streets - from the popularly known Jonker Street and Heeren Street, to Fort Road, Blacksmith Street, Bunga Raya Road and Bandar Hilir Road.
The authors have chosen to use the street names that Malaccans of all generations continue to use rather than the official Malaysian names that have been given to many of them. For instance, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock only appears at the start of the chapter on Heeren Street. Same for Jalan Hang Jebat. Do you know that is the present name of Jonker Street?
A trained architect who has schooled and worked many years abroad before returning to Malaysia, Lim's trained eye and heart clearly decry the destruction that is being done to historic Malacca by avarice and indiscriminate, unthinking progress. Jorge is also an architect and both authors have a love of heritage and history.
It shows clearly through their story telling. I would have preferred that they quoted the over 150 people they interviewed to tell their story. That would have added a real-life nuance to their story telling. But this is another matter. What we have still is a straightforward narrative, with the occasional quote, that compels you to read on in chunks as the streets are revealed one at a time.
The book is best read this way. One street at a time, mulled over, tasted, turned every which way, before starting on the next.
Of Heeren Street the authors write, with a tell-tale sadness: "Today, Heeren Street's handful of remaining families still conscientiously burns offerings...many sold for commercial use...many left to rot. Today, fewer than 40 of the road's 183 houses continue to serve as home."
And of Jonker Street, they quote a resident: "So much of our history has already been lost. So much is still being lost." |
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