One of the happiest times in my childhood was celebrating the Christmas festive season. While Christmas is still a very happy occasion, especially when my family gets together on Christmas Eve, the significance of Christmas Day from a faith perspective is now uppermost on my mind.
Of course, it is always a joy to see the reaction of our grandchildren Joelly, Zeke, and Toby, to the colourful wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree when they visit us. Their joy is magnified ten-fold with immense excitement when these gifts are handed out later that evening. Not to mention seeing our two grown up children, Jessie and Jonny, who in that moment of opening their presents become ‘little kids’ again. I especially like the reactions of my children when they hand out presents to the next gen!!
As a child growing up in a Eurasian family, where both my parents were born in the State of Malacca in Malaysia, I fondly remember the customs that were practiced during Christmas time. Even though they moved to Singapore in 1956 where my four siblings and I were born, their Portuguese influenced Eurasian culture continued, and also when they migrated to Australia.
Photo: My parents, Patricia and James Pereira. Christmas at our house in Perth, WA circa 1972 (Source: Pereira Family Album)
Before going further, here’s a brief lesson on geography and history of the term ‘Eurasian’ and on the Portuguese colonisation of Malacca in 1511.
Sourced from the book ‘Gateway to Eurasian Culture’, 2003 AsiaPac Books, Singapore, the word ‘Eurasian’ is typically used to refer to the joined continents of Europe and Asia, especially as there are no clear boundaries denoting each region. The combined landmass and the people indigenous to these regions can also be termed Eurasians.
Historically, the British began using the term ‘Eurasian’ during the period of British rule over India, from the early 19th Century to refer to a person born to a British father and Indian mother. Its reference has since been extended to include anyone of mixed European and Asian parentage, superseding many other terms such as Anglo-Indian (used in the Indian Sub-Continent) and Burgher (used in Sri Lanka).
There were many European nations, which included the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, French and the British who contributed to the establishment of Eurasian communities, through their colonisation around South Asia and Southeast Asia.
It was the Portuguese, who in the last years of the 15th Century established the first European presence in Asia, having arrived in India in 1498, and later landing in Malaya (now known as Peninsular Malaysia) in 1507. They also sailed further afield to Macau (now Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China) in 1557 [Source: Wikipedia].
The Portuguese colonised Malacca, when in April 1511, Alfonso de Albuquerque set sail from Goa, India to Malacca with a force of some 1200 men and eighteen ships. The Portuguese government encouraged their explorers to marry local indigenous women. At that time Portuguese women were barred from travelling overseas due to superstition about women on ships, as well as the substantial danger of the sea route across the Cape of Good Hope. To promote settlement, Manual I, King of Portugal granted freeman status and exemption from Crown taxes to Portuguese men, with the aim of establishing families who would be loyal to the Portuguese Crown. Their children would become Catholics and their descendants could speak the Portuguese language and help to administer and garrison their colonies.
The explorers were soon followed by countrymen of all social strata, from merchants and craftsmen to scholars and missionaries, doctors, builders, musicians, and farmers. Few of the children returned to Portugal for their education.
Their descendants married other Eurasians, or locals who had converted to Christianity. They often spoke a creole Portuguese, with a grammar structure resembling the native language, and a largely Portuguese vocabulary. The Eurasian population were comfortable in both Western attire and the local dress, sometimes wearing a mixture of both. The same was true of their cuisine. After 130 years of Portuguese influence in language, cuisine, culture and religious practices, the Dutch took Malacca from the Portuguese in 1641.
Photo: Circa. 1912 of my paternal grandparents and their first three of eleven children. Grandpa George Dignecia Pereira (1879-1952) wearing a Western-style suit and Grandma Lucretia Justinia Pereira nee Varella (1888-1944) wearing a Malay-style Sarong Kebaya. From left: Virginia (1908-1984), Horatio (1905-1948), Constance (1910-1991) (Source: Pereira Family Album)
This distinct ethnic group of people, called Kristang (otherwise known as “Portuguese-Eurasians” or “Malacca Portuguese”) or Serani are of predominantly mixed Portuguese and Malaccan descent, with substantial Dutch, British, Jewish, Malay, Chinese and Indian heritage. The term Kristang (Christian) is a Portuguese creole derivative of the Portuguese word Cristão. The term Serani (a Malay derivation of the Arabic Nasrani, meaning followers of Jesus the Nazarene), was used in the early years of Portuguese settlement in Malacca.
Even after Portugal lost Malacca in 1641, the Kristang community largely preserved its traditions throughout the times of the Dutch and British colonial periods.
Many Eurasian families, especially those in Malacca, Singapore and other Eurasian strongholds in Malaysia, still practice many of the traditional Christmas customs. Families, particularly of my parent’s generation, who had migrated to countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK, in the late 60’s and 70’s tried to exercise these customs.
To give you a feeling as to what these traditions were like amongst the Malacca Portuguese, I have extracted the following passages from the book, The Malacca Malaysian Portuguese Heritage, written by George Alcantra, a local resident of Malacca.
I met George Alcantra on a trip to the Portuguese Settlement, Malacca in August 2001. It was at his restaurant called the Restaurant De Lisbon that I got chatting to him. It wasn’t crowded at that time, and so in my typical enquiring manner I asked him about life in Portuguese Settlement and how long he had the restaurant. This was enough for George to open up as he was proud of his restaurant and heritage, as I thought he would be. It was then that I shared with him our common ancestry and family background.
Photo: Restaurant De Lisbon, Malacca (Source: Tripify Google. No copyright intended)
George was generous with his time and showed me around, including the antiques, stamps, and coins he had collected over the years. He also gave me an autographed copy of the book he had written which shared the history, customs, and progress of Portuguese Settlement. So, while the early Portuguese settlers established their community a couple of kilometres outside of Malacca city central, it was not until the 1930s, that a request from a French missionary to the British local government preceded the establishment of a fishing village of wooden huts on 11 hectares of swampy land next to the sea. This became the focal point of the Portuguese Eurasian community in Malacca. In 2008 the city of Malacca, including the Portuguese Settlement was designated a World Heritage Site.
In the Chapter, simply called Christmas, George describes customs and traditions of Christmas as it was then. (Extracts are in italics)
““Natal” or Christmas is celebrated by the Malaysian Portuguese Eurasian community in Melaka (Malay language for Malacca) especially in the Portuguese Settlement on a very grand scale, with no efforts spared. The residents get into the Christmas mood the very next day, after the blessings of the graves. Christmas carols can be heard from just about every household, regardless to whichever part of the day it is. This is still practiced today. The elders in the community in cooperation with the youths, set about getting carolling groups organised. The trend was such in those days every-able-bodied teenager should belong to one carolling party… The ladies are usually involved in preparing the various cakes and delicacies, and getting their respective household organised to project the festive mood.”
In this Chapter, George continues to list and describes the various Christmas delicacies of his community. As I was reading my mouth started to water as it brought back my childhood memories of my mum and aunties making them, or being served these when visiting our relatives at Christmas time. The following were listed and described in the book.
Sesagong (grated coconut and sugar mixed together and fried in the frying pan),
Christmas tarts (flour, eggs, and sugar mixed together and baked, and topped usually with pineapple jam)
Bolu cake (flour, eggs, butter, and sugar mixed together and baked. Then cut into various shapes and sizes)
Kueh Belanda (called Love Letter. A thin biscuit hand rolled into a shape of a 10cm small scroll)
Agar-Agar jelly (a kind of seaweed jelly)
While not listed, here are other Portuguese Eurasian Christmas foods which were a staple at our home. My mum was an excellent cook:
Sugee Cake (semolina, almonds, butter, eggs and brandy, blended and baked)
Eurasian Chicken Pie (a pastry covered chicken stew, with bacon, sausages, quail eggs with various spices)
Kari Debal or Curry Devil (a spicy dry chicken curry, flavoured with candlenut, galangal, mustard, and vinegar)
Curry Feng (a thick curry with various spices, and including finely cut pork shoulder, belly, the pig’s heart, liver, and kidney)
Achar or Pickle (consisting of cucumber, carrots, green chillies stuffed with grated fried coconut, cabbage, pickled in vinegar and turmeric)
Photo: Christmas foods taken over the years at our home in Melbourne; including Ham, Pickle, Curry Devil, Eurasian Chicken Pie, Love Letter, Christmas Tart , Christmas Fruit Cake, and Love Cake (a Sri Lankan Burgher food inclusion) (Source: Pereira Family Album)
Returning to the Christmas Chapter, George continues his description of the activities leading up to Christmas Day at the Portuguese Settlement. A place where my parents grew up and from where my Portuguese Eurasian heritage had come from.
“In the wee hours of the morning the various carolling groups make their rounds from house to house to sing Christmas carols. The instruments that were used those days were guitars, the triangle, mouth organ, tamborine and a bell which would be usually held by the Santa Claus, who would be accompanying the party…All this comes to a halt when the sun begins to rise. And the whole process is repeated until the eve of Christmas (24th December).
Photo: Portuguese Settlement Christmas Carolling 2008 (Source: Flickr Google (No copyright intended)
Another group of carollers would begin their rounds in the evening until just after midnight. The only difference now is that this group would be dressed up in various costumes to impersonate Mary, Joseph, the three Wise Men, the shepherds, and some others would be dressed up in party hats and so on…
The Christmas Tree Children’s Party is another event that is also a part of the Christmas celebrations. This is for the little children from two to ten years old…On the 23rd day of Christmas, when the Party is annually held, presents bought for the children by the organisers would be distributed. There would be a few guest bands livening up the prevailing Christmas atmosphere. More than one Santa Claus would mingle with the merry-makers and this occasion would be over towards the later part of the evening.”
Photo: Circa. 1969, after receiving our Christmas presents at the annual Children's Christmas Party. My uncle is to the right of the picture. (Source: Pereira Family Album)
Even growing up in Singapore, as there were many Eurasians living there, I still remember with fondness the Christmas Children’s Party which our uncle would invite my siblings and I to. My uncle worked at the Port of Singapore as a Naval Police Officer and each Christmas the Port management would hold a party, just as described in the Christmas Chapter. We had so much fun with rides on all sorts of contraptions, but the best part was to see Santa Claus standing high on top of the Port’s fire engine with his helpers beside him. Each child would go home beaming from ear-to-ear carrying with them a present from Santa Claus.
Further into the Christmas Chapter, George describes the Christmas tradition of a Christmas Eve supper. My family today continue celebrating the Christmas Eve supper after returning from our traditional Christmas church service.
After supper, usually prompted by the grandchildren who have become anxious to receive their presents, they are instructed by a grandparent to sit around the Christmas tree. As family members, both young and old, toddlers, children, parents, and grand-parents ready themselves, names are called out and presents are handed over. After the mess created by the discarded Christmas wrapping paper, often with grandma trying to collect the wrapping paper to properly bin it, the younger children would invariabily run off wanting to play with their presents. Often this could carry on into the early hours of Christmas morning, as we adults would chat about what we had and make plans for the next day. Things can end abruptly when a parent would say, “OK, it’s time to go home.” With muted grumbling the children would each collect their toys and march towards the family car.
Photo: Picture after mid-night 24th December 2021. Papa Steven and Nana Jenny with grandkids. From left: Tobias aka Toby, Ezekiel aka Zeke and Joel aka Joelly (Source: Pereira Family Album)
George continues his description of the Christmas festivities in the Portuguese Settlement.
“The eve of Christmas is another hectic day because this is the last day to see that everything is in proper order. Young and old alike would be too pre-occupied to be properly attired to attend the mid-night High Mass, which is the climax of the Christmas celebrations. A pageant would be held in the grounds of the Church to recall the events leading to the birth of Jesus Christ. When the mass has ended one can witness a jovial atmosphere in the grounds of the Church. A sea of people can be observed wishing one another and inviting each to their respective houses.
On returning home the children pay respects to their elders and ask for forgiveness if they had done anything wrong. Then the members of the family gather around for supper. The main dish would be the Christmas pie served with wine. The cooks of the various households would undertake the last-minute preparations before they knock off for a short nap and to get ready to welcome Christmas morning.
As far as time can remember, the Portuguese Settlement, from Christmas day until the first day of the following year is like an open house invitation. Irrespective of whether you are acquainted with your visitors or not, all are welcome. This unique tradition of the Malacca Malaysian Portuguese has been observed until today. Visiting each other’s house begins very early on Christmas Day.
It is a traditional belief that sweeping is forbidden until the late afternoon hours of Christmas. The reason being that you would be throwing whatever good fortune away. This custom is still maintained today. Nowadays an added feature is that youths would undertake the task of organising a Christmas party on the night of the 25th of December. Everyone, young and old, are invited to the party which will go on until the early hours of the following day, when you could still here “Bong Natal” or “Merry Christmas” greetings being exchanged.
As the New Year approaches the Christmas festive mood tones down and ceases all together.”
As Christmas Day approaches at the end this month, I recollect the hustle and bustle my parents would have gone through during every December, at least while we were growing up in Singapore. During this time, the 60s, my siblings and I were ranged in ages from 4 years to 11 years.
More often than not, my father would give the apartment we lived in a fresh coat of paint. I remember one year, he even painted the cement floor of the lounge area, at least before he invested in having linoleum laid throughout the apartment.
After the painting and if not using an artificial Christmas tree, one day after work in December he would bring home a freshly cut tree or at least a large up-right branch. We children, who were old enough would help decorate the tree with Christmas buntings, lights, and figurines. Often with a Bing Crosby Christmas carol playing in the background. One child, usually carried by our father, would always be given the honour to fix either a star or angel at the top of the tree as the last trimming for the tree before the Christmas tree lights are switched on.
Another practice, alluded to in George Alcantra’s Chapter on Christmas, was the purchase of new clothes for Christmas. My siblings and I always looked forward to the special trip to Singapore’s renown Robinson’s Department Store each December. After spending hours deciding on what we wanted, we would catch a taxi home with bags of new clothes to wear for Christmas. For me it was often a new pair of shorts and a new shirt.
Photo: Circa. 1966. In front of the Christmas tree with our new Christmas outfits. From left: Marisa (aged 8), me (aged 9), Daphne (aged 7). (Source: Pereira Family Album)
Over the years, as a grandparent and living in Melbourne, Australia, I have tried to maintain some of the Portuguese Eurasian traditions. For me the best part of those traditions is the gathering of the family after mid-night Christmas Eve for our family supper, and gift giving under the Christmas tree.
Christmas Day on 25th December is celebrated by Christians all over the world and, might I add, enjoyed by both believers and non-believers alike. Everyone who celebrates this Special Day has created their own family traditions, customs, and practices.
As a young boy, the original Christmas Story has always been the foundation of my Christian faith. Our parents had a beautiful set of figurines for the Nativity Scene which had pride of place near the Christmas tree. I would be amazed by the story told of the angel appearing to the shepherds heralding the good news of Jesus’ birth as we read in Luke 2:10-11 “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”. Then also by learning of the visitation of the Wise Men, as reported in Matthew 2:10-11 “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh”.
Today I still marvel at the event realising that the Christmas Story was foretold in many Old Testament books of the Bible, and was finally revealed in the New Testament. The Book of Isaiah famously prophesy this in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin will conceive and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel (Immanuel meaning "God with us")”. This was written over 700 years before Jesus was born.
As a Christian, I know that Jesus’ birth was only a prelude to what He did on the Cross at Calvary and Resurrection. This is another significant event in the Christian calendar which we celebrate at Easter.
May the joy of the Saviour's birth this Christmas be your light and life. May it bring you hope and blessings to you and your family during this Season.
Bong Natal!
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