PERANAKAN
This project aims to create a product inspired by the Peranakans to help educate people about this dying culture.
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And I have designed a modern place mat that reflects the hospitality of the Peranakans.
I have picked up on the Peranakan's Sireh Box. The Nyonyas will bring out the Sireh Box containing objects such as betel leaves, tabacco, areca nuts etc. when guests arrive, and present it to her guests as an act of hospitality.
The Nyonyas who accepted it will roll up the given ingredients into the betel leaf and chew on it. This 'ritual' is done to help show off how hospitable the family is and how well brought up the Nyonya is, and this may help her potentially find a family who will take her in as a bride.
However in the modern times, such a practice is no longer present. Instead, we just layout drinks, snacks etc. onto our coffee tables even before they come, and ask guests to help themselves when they arrive. Such an act is already considered hospitable now.
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As such, I have adapted aspects from the Sireh Set into the modern practice. This is a placemat meant for drinks, snacks etc. It Is rolled up when not in use, and when guests arrive, the host would unroll it and present their snacks etc. on the mat in their usual act of hospitality.
Finally, with the adding on Peranakan inspired motifs such as the lotus and peony (roll over image to see explanation) and the modernized colours of the Peranakans, I hope this small object can embody the hospitality of the Peranakans, and bring light to this culture.
