In these days leading up to Christmas, the community of the multicultural coastal city is dusting off its traditions, starting with the “seriously threatened” Creole language. The Malacca group began the spread of Catholicism in Malaysia. Sabine Ferrao, in charge of the show’s production: “It is a language in decline, but there is still hope for the future.” The diary The Star talks about “a Christmas to remember.”
Malacca () – As Christmas approaches, the Kristang community of Malacca – descendants of 15th century Portuguese settlers and now a minority ethnic group – gathered to stage the “Nativity of Natal”, a sacred Christmas performance with characteristics of its own tradition, starting with the Kristang language, a “vernacular slang” that was spoken when Portuguese soldiers mixed with the local population. Sixteen performers participated in the work, who passionately expressed the tribute to Christmas in their native language, on the verge of extinction. According to UNESCO, in fact, there are only 2,000 people in the world who speak it, and that is why it was included in the “Atlas of the world’s languages in danger.”
People from the Kristang community are also called Malacca Portuguese Eurasians, and also include Dutch and British ancestry. In other times they were talented fishermen in the Strait of Malacca. Whatever name is used to identify them, they are people who have lived their Catholic faith for centuries, holding firmly to all the traditions and rites of the Catholic Church. During the main events of the Catholic calendar, the Portuguese square in the area where they live comes alive with decorations and ornaments, both at Christmas and at Holy Easter.
For many of the descendants of the Portuguese settlers, attending the representation of the Nativity in their ancient language was a surprise full of nostalgia and memories transmitted from generation to generation. In statements to an elderly member of the community, who lives near the square, said: “While it was a spectacular performance, the Kristang libretto of the play was as moving as the original Nativity.”
Whether read from the Gospel of Luke, depicted on an old Christmas card or recited on stage, the Nativity will always be “moving and evocative,” he added, because it is the story of our first Christmas. “I had a strong feeling of déjà vu when I was watching the play, even though it was presented in my native language,” he said.
Sabine Ferrao, who participated in the production of the show, wrote in her profile Facebook: “We have all heard the Christmas story in English. But this time it is in Kristang.” It is a good attempt to put this declining language into practice. “There is still hope for the future, that other plays, sketches and even Christmas carols will be performed in Kristang.” Ferrao added that writing the libretto in Kristang also helps remind Malays outside Malacca that this ancient Creole-Portuguese language still exists and is spoken by some groups.
Another community member, Martin Theseira, explained to that the Kristang language is a heritage that must be preserved. “I am glad that the Portuguese Eurasian community has taken the time to present a professionally written play in the classical Kristang language, which in 50 years may no longer be spoken.” He hopes that linguists and academics will work to preserve it: “Our culture and our traditions, which are part of the history of the local Church, must be kept current and not lost in time,” continued Theseira, a social activist passionate about conservation. of the rich heritage of the community.
The representation of the Nativity in the Kristang language also attracted the attention of the national newspaper The Starwho described the play as “a Christmas to remember.” Speaking to the newspaper, choreographer Sara Frederica Santa María said that producing the kristang performance gave her the opportunity to celebrate her own cultural heritage in a special way. The newspaper explains that Santa María is a cultural enthusiast, interested in preserving the Kristang language.
“I was in charge of choreographing the show exclusively in the local Portuguese language to create a traditional atmosphere of Yuletide (an ancient pagan festival celebrated by the Germanic and Nordic peoples and which has influenced Christmas traditions, ed.) among the members of my community,” he told The Star. Santa María credits her grandparents, who spoke both Malay and Kristang, for teaching her the language.
“My four children speak the language and help me defend it. “I want to preserve it, along with the local Portuguese culture and heritage with my family,” he explained. Saint Mary – whose husband is a Kadazan from Sabah – also teaches the Kristang language. He has created various materials to preserve the community’s heritage. He is currently collaborating with a local public university to preserve the Malaco-Portuguese language and culture.
Add Comment