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The Peranakans Trivia Quiz

This is about a unique ethic group from Southeast Asia. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by meifeng. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
meifeng

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
252,587

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
489

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Peranakan community has its origins in the interracial marriages that took place between immigrant Chinese men and Malay women from which states and/or countries? Hint

Malacca, Penang and Trengganu

All of these

Singapore

Indonesia

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Question 2 of 10

2. What are the Peranakans also known as? Hint

Straits Chinese

Straits-born Chinese

Babas and Nonyas

All of these

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Question 3 of 10

3. What do the terms Babas and Nonyas refer to? Hint

Towkays and Bibiks

Male and female Malays

Male and female Chinese

Male and female Peranakan descendants

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Question 4 of 10

4. Most Peranakans are of which Chinese ancestry? Hint

Hakka

Cantonese

Hokkien

Teochew

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Chinese immigrant men were mostly of which occupation? Hint

Explorers

Pirates

Merchants and traders

Princes

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the language of the Peranakans? Hint

Baba Malay

Malay

Baba Chinese

Chinese

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Peranakans adopted the culture of which ethnic group? Hint

They did not adopt any of these

The Chinese

The Malays

The Indians

8. The Peranakans' sense of self importance originated from their early arrival and the fact that they were descended from pioneers. To distinguish themselves from the new immigrants from China, they call these new arrivals by what name? Hint

Joget

Sinkheks

Bangsawan

Cherki

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Question 9 of 10

9. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a majority of the Peranakans were involved in what trade? Hint

They weren't involved in anything productive

They were politicians

They were entrepreneurs and shopkeepers

They were pirates

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Question 10 of 10

10. True/False: In present times, true-blue Peranakans are diminishing because of death, emigration, the decline of tradition and the increase in the number of marriages outside the community.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Peranakan community has its origins in the interracial marriages that took place between immigrant Chinese men and Malay women from which states and/or countries?

Answer: All of these

The Chinese men married local women such as Bataks, Balinese and Chitty (descendents of old Hindu families) in the 16th century.

2. What are the Peranakans also known as?

Answer: All of these

In the early 19th century when the British nominated their colonies of Malacca, Penang ang Singapore 'The Straits Settlement', the Peranakans born in these places became known as Straits-born Chinese or just Straits Chinese.

3. What do the terms Babas and Nonyas refer to?

Answer: Male and female Peranakan descendants

Towkay means 'boss' and Bibik means an older female Peranakan.

4. Most Peranakans are of which Chinese ancestry?

Answer: Hokkien

A fair denomination of them were also of Cantonese or Teochew descent.

5. The Chinese immigrant men were mostly of which occupation?

Answer: Merchants and traders

The merchants and traders, mainly from the Fukien (Hokkien) province of China, were attracted by the bustling business in opium, textiles, bird's nest and spices.

6. What is the language of the Peranakans?

Answer: Baba Malay

Baba Malay is a mixture of Malay and Hokkien (a Chinese dialect). It is a dying language and contemporary use is mainly limited to members of the older generation. Peranakan associations in Singapore are trying to keep this alive.

7. The Peranakans adopted the culture of which ethnic group?

Answer: The Malays

Although they spoke Malay and adopted Malay attire and culinary arts, they also retained a number of Chinese customs and habits, adapting them to local practices when necessary. This gave rise to a totally unique culture of their own, a fusion of Malay and Chinese customs and habits.

Answer: Sinkheks

'Sinkhek' literally means 'new arrival'. Joget is a kind of dance; Bangsawan a play and cherki is a card game played with cherki cards.

9. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a majority of the Peranakans were involved in what trade?

Answer: They were entrepreneurs and shopkeepers

They ventured into commercial agriculture and dealt in food items like tapioca, nutmeg, sireh (betel nut leaf) and opium. They were also involved in pepper and gambier cultivation, tin mining and property. When the Dutch and Portuguese arrived in Malacca and set up schools, the Peranakans learnt to read and write English.

This gave them the advantage in business opportunities in the 19th and 20th centuries when the region was colonised by the British and further increased their wealth.

10. True/False: In present times, true-blue Peranakans are diminishing because of death, emigration, the decline of tradition and the increase in the number of marriages outside the community.

Answer: True

Sadly so! The community has lost about 70% of its original culture with the passage of time. However, efforts are being made by Peranakan organisations in Singapore to increase awareness of the Peranakan heritage through cultural activities and organisation membership. Thank you for doing this quiz.
To find out more visit peranakan.org.sg or peranakan.web1000.com or have a go at my other Peranakan quizzes.

Source: Author meifeng

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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