Portuguese Settlement, Malacca

The Portuguese Settlement (Saint John's Village; Portuguese: Aldeia de São João; Malay: Kampung St. John, Kampung Portugis) is an area of Ujong Pasir in Melaka Tengah District, Malacca, Malaysia, which serves as a home for the Kristang people. The Kristang people are a Malaysian ethnic group with mixed Portuguese and Malay heritage, originating from the time of the Portuguese rule in Malacca (16th to 17th century).

Portuguese Settlement
Malaysia Town in Malaysia
Other transcription(s)
  MalayKampung Portuguese
  Chinese葡萄牙村
  PortugueseAldeia de São João
Portuguese Settlement (Saint John's Village)
Portuguese Settlement (Saint John's Village)
Portuguese Settlement is located in Malacca
Portuguese Settlement
Portuguese Settlement
Portuguese Settlement in Malacca, Malay Peninsular and Malaysia
Portuguese Settlement is located in Peninsular Malaysia
Portuguese Settlement
Portuguese Settlement
Portuguese Settlement (Peninsular Malaysia)
Portuguese Settlement is located in Malaysia
Portuguese Settlement
Portuguese Settlement
Portuguese Settlement (Malaysia)
Coordinates: 02°11′09″N 102°15′57″E
Country Malaysia
State Malacca
DistrictMelaka Tengah
Time zoneUTC+8 (MYT)
Postal code
75050

In 1933, 11 hectares of land at Malacca were purchased with the purpose of creating a haven for the scattered Kristang people. The swampy land was cleared and 10 wooden houses with earth floors and attap roofs were built. Saint John's village, as that simple fishing village was originally known, soon attracted additional Kristang from other areas of Malacca, and grew to become one of Malacca's main tourist attractions, improving the standard of living of its villagers.

Like many other Portuguese-speaking communities around the world, the Portuguese Settlement holds a yearly "June festival" that opens with Festa de São João ("Feast of Saint John", June 23) and closes with Festa de São Pedro ("Feast of Saint Peter", the fishermen's patron saint, June 29). This festival is attended by about 100,000 visitors from Malaysia and abroad. At the festival one can hear Kristang folk songs and watch dancers in colourful costumes perform to the rhythm of branyu music. An important event in the festival is the blessing of the local fishermen's boats, specially decorated for the occasion, to assure good catch.[1]

References

  1. Ivy Tan (June 2007). "Malaccan MCA leaders at the Portuguese Settlement" (PDF). The Guardian. Malaysian Chinese Association. 3: 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2007-09-27.


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