Penang Hokkien And Peranakan Rhymes : Teaching The Young On The Cultural Traditions, Values, Early Developmental And Music Skills
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Date
2010-12
Authors
Ong, Siew Lee
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
When one talks of rhymes, nursery rhymes such as Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star or Baa Baa Black Sheep comes to mind. In Penang, Malaysia where people come from different races, religions and cultures, various types of rhymes exist. This thesis focuses on the Hokkien and Peranakan rhymes of Penang which can be categorized as action songs, songs for singing, work songs, lullabies, singing games, call and response songs, chanting rhymes and story telling rhymes.
Hokkien and Peranakan rhymes are chanted intentionally for cultivating social and cultural values, informing a society about moral upbringing as well as to help children grow physically, emotionally and psychologically. These intentions can be found in a lullaby for child-mother bonding, a game for having fun, or a song for teasing/entertainment. These rhymes will be effective when they are used in the correct manner, specific context and in a setting for which they are originally intended for. For instance, a child listening to a lullaby being sung by his or her mother who is preparing the child to go to sleep in the bedroom will feel his/her mother’s warmth and feel emotionally safe.
Hokkien and Peranakan rhymes are also used to teach Chinese festivals,
celebrations and family values as part of imparting culture and traditions of their forefathers. Festivals and celebrations are elaborated in rhymes to illustrate the joy of the festivities while some of the rhymes are used to give advice or exemplify indirect criticism in a society that practices strong family values. Rhymes containing these subtle yet crucial messages are verbally passed from generation to generation as an oral tradition. The Peranakan rhymes are more specific as they mainly communicate the eclectic culture and traditions of Penang Peranakan such as the different Peranakan language, food, and others.
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Keywords
Hokkien and Peranakan rhymes are chanted intentionally , for cultivating social and cultural values