Malaysia through the lenses of a Mat Salleh: Episode 6

A typical day in Malacca

ktleong 01/03/2021

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Malaysia through the lenses of a Mat Salleh

By Philippe A.Durant

Thanks again to those who are following my photographic journey, for the appreciation.

Day 6: A typical day in Malacca

“In the port of Malacca, very often eighty-four languages have been spoken, each distinct, as inhabitants of Malacca affirm…” wrote the Portuguese apothecary-diplomat Tome Pires in his Suma Oriental, after arriving in Malacca at its zenith in 1512. Malacca was founded under Hindu influence, but where is the Mandala? It is a seat of the Malay sultanate, but it is neither a Malay town nor an Islamic town. It was occupied by a succession of European powers, but it is not an European town. It was colonized by Chinese migrants, yet it is not a Chinese town. Malacca is a patchwork of communities whose cultural layers overlapped in living next to each other and through intermarriage. The people who congregated to give birth to what is today Malacca were diverse in race, religion, language, education and wealth. Each community influenced Malacca’s architecture, costume, cuisine and language.

– “Malacca Style” by Serge Jardin, brilliant historian, tour guide and writer

This paragraph extracted from Serge’s third book published in 2014 summarises best the complexity of the city. It was certainly one of the top tourist destinations in Malaysia before MCO.

I did spend a few months in the city and had the pleasure to become friends with Serge.

I will start with sharing captures of the old town. Jonker Street and its area used to be the place to find artisans, craftsmen, artists, traditional food, museums and beautiful colonial houses, but it has sadly now been transformed into “Junk street” where the tourists can only find irrelevant and pointless cheap souvenirs and processed food.

Do follow my daily postings about different themes and/or location and do not hesitate to comment constructively. Embark in a photographic journey in Malaysia through the lenses of a Mat Salleh.

Bon voyage.