Visitors step into the Baba Nyonya world on display in Hainan, exploring the rich history of its heritage A silver engraved cigarette case from Singapore is now displayed in Qionghai, South China’s Hainan province, symbolising Lim Boon Keng’s enduring legacy and cross-border friendships. Created in 1925 by London firm Henry Perkins & Sons, the case is inscribed: “Presented to Dr Lim Boon Keng, Xiamen University, in tribute to his friends and well-wishers — Singapore, February 25, 1926.” Lim, a significant Peranakan activist and educational reformer, was the second president of Xiamen University from 1921 to 1937.
His efforts strengthened cultural and philanthropic connections between Singapore and China. Thanks to his grandson Lim Kok Lian’s generosity, the cigarette case is now part of the “Exploring the World of Baba Nyonya” exhibition, showcasing the Maritime Silk Road and Peranakan culture, at the China (Hainan) Museum of The South China Sea. The Peranakan, also known as the Baba (male) and Nyonya (female), are descendants of Ming Dynasty immigrants from China who intermarried with Southeast Asians, creating a unique blend of Chinese and Malay cultures.
Han Junyuan, a Malaysian-Chinese descendant living in Hainan, visited the exhibition in late March. “I’ve heard of Lim Boon Keng’s legacy as an exceptional Straits Chinese. It was a special moment for me to finally see his related item showcased in the exhibition,” he says.
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