Peranakan Baba and Nyonya Kasut Manik: A Gateway to Preserving Local Art Content in Malaysia

Abstract

One way to define the substance of local art is as an element or component of the culture, tradition, and legacy that are created in a community and passed down through the generations. It also sets Malaysia apart from other nations as a feature of its identity. Local art content refers to the creative expressions and cultural artefacts from a specific locality or region. It often reflects the unique identity, values, beliefs, and experiences of the people within that community. As one of the most incredible artistic legacies of the Peranakan community, which peaked in popularity in the late fifteenth century, the Peranakan Baba and Nyonya beaded shoes (or Kasut Manik) are examined in this article. These shoes, adorned with hundreds of exquisite beads, represent Peranakan craftsmanship’s splendour, refinement, and luxury. Using Simon Thurley’s Heritage Cycle Model, this study produced a more effective cycle of local art content. This model can aid in enhancing awareness of how cultural heritage endures and remains constantly relevant in society, since it is based on the four stages of the heritage cycle: understanding, appreciating, maintaining, and enjoying. Consequently, the tribulation process from multiple sources of data acquired is used in this study’s qualitative methodology. The results of this study were produced with significant assistance from a mix of data from unstructured interviews, field research, audio-video analysis, and document or text analysis. In conclusion, paying attention to the substance of this distinctive local artwork is essential to ensure that the handicrafts’ original quality is always valued.