If you are someone who has not grown up in South East Asia, you might be thinking that Asian countries are not rich in culture. If you think so, you will be wrong 98 times out of 100. Do not believe what you see on TV or read on the internet; instead, step out and explore on your own. In turn, you will see just how culturally diverse South Asian countries are. From historical monuments, vast literature, and cultural diversity to the ruins of the past, you will witness a glimpse of our ancestors in South Asia. One of the best examples of rich cultural history and buildings in Singapore.
Roaming through the historic buildings of Singapore, you will notice that there is a unique community that once lived there. Called the Peranakans, this unique community lived in Singapore in the early 19th century. Essentially, the Pankarans were an indigenous community living in the suburbs of Singapore. Unlike other major communities in Singapore, the Peranakans were quite unique and entirely different. Their way of living, language, culture, and lifestyle was entirely different from other communities.
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Some Interesting Facts About The Peranakans
What was more interesting about the Peranakans community was their unique taste for architecture. Looking at the ruins of the Peranakans community, it becomes apparent that they were inspired by the classic age buildings. Every single building – that was built by the Peranakans – presents a visual view of the Gilded Age.
However, the Peranakans were not a specified group of people like other communities in Singapore. Rather, they were a unique merger of Malay, Western, and Chinese heritage. This means that the Peranakans were not direct descendants of any specific group. Instead, they were a ‘mixture’ of different cultures. Some came from a Chinese background, and others were descendants of Europe. This is what made them unique. Even if you ask a native Singaporean about the definition of the Peranakans, they will not know who they were.
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The Gilded Age Inspiration
The only exception is that if someone has an interest in history or classic architecture, they will know the uniqueness of this community.
Since the Peranakans were not a specified group of people, they had a startlingly different view of architecture. The monuments of that community look like the ones that were popular during the Gilded Age. Historians and architects argue that the design of the Peranakans building was nothing more or less than inspiration from the Gilded Age. Perhaps the diversity of their culture enabled them to build monuments like the widely popular Gilded Age architecture.
The buildings of the Peranakans were (and are) classic through and through. Long facades, sky-kissing ceilings, houses made of stones, and much more. Every single ‘ingredient’ used in the making of the monuments is inspired by the Gilded Age. Likewise, the entire design is also an inspiration from the Gilded Age. Look at the 19th-century buildings of the Peranakans, and you will see the Gilded Age architecture right in front of you.