Threads of identity, the cultural tapestry of the Jawi Peranakan kebaya / Asilatul Hanaa Abdullah

The Jawi Peranakan is an exemplary instance of the exchange of culture and mixed heritage in Southeast Asia. Developed from the union of Tamil Muslim merchant groups known as the Chulias and the indigenous Malaya, the culture became enriched by the influence of Indian, Malayan, and Islamic culture during the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the salient features of the Jawi Peranakan heritage is the kebaya. Beyond being a garment, the kebaya reflects the history, the social status, and the religion of the community. Originally worn by the indigenous Malaya over the sarong, the kebaya has evolved over the centuries, adapting the various influences from multiple cultures. As the Chulias integrated into local populations, the garment adapted to the ideals of Islam’s concept of modesty while effortlessly incorporating the artistic elements of Malaya fashion and the expertise from the fabric arts of India.The kebaya’s adaptation reflects the fluid nature of diasporan identity, where tradition blends seamlessly into adaptation. Jewelry like the kerongsang underscores the mixed influences common to the culture known as the Jawi Peranakan legacy. This analysis is concerned with the kebaya’s adaptation, its symbolic nature of the mixing of culture, and its preservation of the lively culture. By understanding its history and its contemporary applicability, one can find the essence of the exchange of culture, the building of identity, and the strength of the persistence of tradition. In the kebaya, one can find the lasting influence of the exchange of culture and the perseverance of the distinctive legacy by the Jawi Peranakan towards the multi-cultural fabric of the nation.