PERANAKAN or the baba nyonya culture evolved in the 14th century when Chinese traders arrived in Malacca and intermarriages with the local women took place. The Peranakan culture is a unique blend of many cultures — Malay and Chinese, synthesised with elements of Javanese, Sumatran, Thai, Burmese, Balinese, Indian, Portuguese, Dutch and British cultures, representing “multiculturalism” and “fusion” before the terms were invented
The Burmese were traders who conducted barter trade. They were also famous for cigar manufacturing. Some of the educated ones were civil servants, such as surveyors, station masters and clerks. A few became professionals, such as doctors.
My great grandfather was Dr. Hari Singh Thulasi Ram (Dr. Reginald Harrison Toolseram) of Burmese Indian origin. He had his clinic in Chulia Street. My great grandmother Mah Poh Siew was of Burmese Chinese origin. My grand auntie, June Toolseram married Mr. Devosse of Dutch origin. My grand uncle Jan Toolseram married a Nyonya Toh Nyee Ee around the year 1941.
My grandfather Puteh Toolseram aka Phu Thay Toolseram(1898-1969) worked as a ledger clerk and a meter reader inspector. His first marriage was to Winnie Bamford of Dutch origin (circa 1904-1939). They had 4 sons and 2 daughters. His second marriage was to my grandmother Keng Choo or Phay Nyet of Burmese Chinese origin (1915-1960). They had 2 sons and 4 daughters.
My grandfather Puteh Toolseram(Phu Thay) took part as a violin player in the Bangsawan performances organised by the Chinese Amateur Dramatic Association in aid of China Distress Relief Fund on 17-18 August, 1928. My
granduncle on my grandmother's side is Maung Toon Meng, and he married a Chinese wife. There used to be a Penang Burmese Buddhist Association, according to a picture taken around 1941.
• Toon Phay Toolseram (Singapore)
• Maung Toolseram (Penang)
• Hla Toolseram (Lost Contact)
• Oo Miak Toolseram (Penang)
• Toon Mah Toolseram (Penang)
• Ong Toolseram (Shah Alam)
His second marriage was to my grandmother Keng Choo aka Phay Nyet of Burmese Chinese origin (1915-1960). They had 2 sons, 4 daughters and a step daughter all still in Penang.
• Mah Chee Seng aka Seng Kee(Step Daughter)
• Nyee Aye Toolseram (Mah Aye)
• Hla Toon Toolseram
• Bee Bee Toolseram
• Mah Njiong Toolseram (Nyonya)
• Bamoung Toolseram
• Darling Toolseram
back row:
front row:
back row: Nyee Aye Toolseram, Keng Choo(Phay Nyet), Darling Toolseram, Mah Chee Sing, Bee Bee Toolseram & Hla Toolseram
front row: Mah Njiong Toolseram(Nyonya), Hla Toon Toolseram & Bamoung Toolseram
Baboo Toolseram & Family
Jan Toolseram & Toh Nyee Ee
Future
Looking back at our history, we are proud to be the Penang Burmese community. As a minority, the questions we should ask are, what will happen to our community in the future? Will our religion and culture survive after 200 years of the history of Penang?
In view of the questions asked, we, a group of Penangites, have registered an organisation named Penang Burmese Society, with a mission to carry on our Burmese heritage and culture. Presently, we are planning, developing and strategising interesting programmes to promote Burmese living culture and traditions. We hope everyone (including the State government) can give full support to further our mission.
(source: from Penang Story Project, website: penangstory.net.my/mino-content-paperabstract.html )
Burmese Wedding in 1917
A pretty Burmese wedding took place on Sunday, at Palo Tikus, when Mr. Puteh Toolseram alias Lab Oung, second son of the late Mr.Dr Hari Singh Toolseram(Dr Harrison Toolseram), of Chulia Street, Penang, was married to Miss Vince, alias Man Sing, the granddaughter of the late Mr. Moung Tbaw Oong, late Burmese Medical Practitioner of Pulau Tikus. The marriage was conducted by Mr Maung Poh Ob, the Head Burmese Trustee of 43, Cantonment Road, Penang(source: Strait Times, 8-12-1917)
Famous Personality
1. Dr. Hari Singh Thulasi Ram (Dr. Reginald Harrison Toolseram) of Burmese Indian origin. He had his clinic in Chulia Street.
back row: PhuThay Toolseram, Unknown, Unknown, Jan Toolseram, Mah Poh Siew
front row: Steven Charles Toolseram, Baby Toolseram, Baboo Toolseram, June Toolseram
2. Mr. Moung Tbaw Oong, late Burmese Medical Practitioner of Pulau Tikus.
3. Hannah Toolseram aka Nellie Toolseram (Malaysian of Burmese origin) is the house-model for Versace in Milan
Penang Burmese Society
Malaysians of Burmese descent have formed the Penang Burmese Society to preserve their ethnic culture, values and language. Society chairman Moung Ban Chowi said the society will be a base for Malaysians of Burmese descent to interact and for the younger generation to know their roots.
"Being a small community, our people seemed to be losing their identity. We were once a sizeable community in Penang and Taiping but through inter- marriages, our identity has diminished.
The Burmese had formed a settlement here in the early 19th century, and their presence remained until the early part of the 20th century. At that time, there was a Burmese village here called Kampong Ava - probably named after the town of Ava (today Inwa) in Myanmar. When the British administrators created the main road here, they named it Burmah Road. Off shoots of Burmah Road were also named after places in Burma(Burma Lane) . Hence we now have road names that are of Burmese origin including Burmah, Irrawaddi, Rangoon, Mandalay, Moulmein, Salween, Tavoy and Thaton.
Today, the Burmese presence in Pulau Tikus is best represented by the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple at Burmah Lane (Lorong Burma). It has been around since the beginning of the 19th century. The oldest part of the temple, the stupa, dates back to 1805.
The Burmese are devout Buddhists. History tells us of Burmese settling in Penang Island, many wear around the Pulau Tikus area. They came here as early as 1800s and appealed to Queen Victoria of England for land to build bigger temples and burial grounds for elders. Queen Victoria through the East India Company granted land jointly for the Siamese and Burmese communities to erect their temples. This Burmese temple is the first Buddhist temple in Penang.
Burmese Temple
The Dhammikarama Burmese Temple at Burmah Lane, originally known as the Nandy Molah Burmese Temple, was the first Buddhist temple to be built in Penang in 1803, on land donated by Nyonya Betong, one of its many woman patrons. The oldest part of the temple is the stupa which was consecrated in 1805. It is enshrined within an outer stupa which was constructed in 1838, together with the ceremonial hall guarded by a pair of stone elephants.
Mythical figures and religious icons dot the spacious compound, much of which were later additions. Among them are bell-bearing acolytes, myriad buddhas, chimeras and flying beings. Two huge and imposing-looking chinthes (mythical beings that are a cross between a dragon, a dog and a lion) flank the entrance to the main prayer hall. At a disused 200 year-old well is a huge pond filled with carps. Buddha statues in different meditative poses nestle in grottos marked with the names of individual donors as well as signs of the zodiac. A pair of winged chimeras called Panca Rupa look resplendent in the roles as "Guardian Protectors of the World."
A huge mural depicts the Great Renunciation of Prince Siddharta. The future Buddha is shown riding his steed Kanthaka in mid-air with his faithful servant Channa seemingly hanging on. Evil beings try to discourage him from his noble quest while good ones welcome him with open arms.
