Tok Panjang – a Baba & Nyonya wedding luncheon with Eugene & Ai Ling

Eugene & Ai Ling on their wedding at heritage house in Heeren Street of Melaka

11 Feb Tok Panjang – a Baba & Nyonya wedding luncheon with Eugene & Ai Ling

Posted at 10:08h in Wedding by CJ

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I had a chance to attend a ‘Tok Panjang’ feast many years ago. The feast takes lots of preparation work, can be days, thus we don’t usually see it even we are at the hometown for Baba & Nyonya culture.

‘Tok Panjang’ literally means long table, the word itself reflects intermingling of Chinese and Malay terms. ‘Tok’ means table in Hokkien language, and ‘Panjang’ is Malay term for long. It is a lavish Peranakan feast laid out on a long table during special occasions such as Chinese New Year or on weddings with close family and friends.

End of last year I met Eugene & Ai Ling to cover their wedding in Melaka.

Eugene comes from a Baba & Nyonya family in Melaka and Ai Ling is from Singapore. They had their wedding ceremony in Singapore, and was holding a tea ceremony and luncheon in Melaka to share their joy for family and friends who couldn’t make it to their Singapore’s ceremony.

And their wedding luncheon in Melaka happened to be ‘Tok Panjang’. It took lots of effort and was prepared by Eugene’s mom and her friends at their ancestral home in Heeren Street. It welcomed and signified the addition of new member, Ai Ling to their family.

On the day itself, Ai Ling wore a beautiful tailored Kebaya, and went to Eugene’s grandparents’ place for tea ceremony and headed to Eugene’s ancestral home situated in Heeren Street for paying respect to Eugene’s ancestors and had their wedding luncheon.

It was a hot afternoon but every guest at the ‘Tok Panjang’ was very much enjoyed the delicious Nyonya cuisine, and also happily gathered and shared the joy of the newly wed. I too enjoyed the vibe from the wedding, and the meals for sure.

Thank you Eugene & Ai Ling for sharing your joy with me, and invited me to photograph their wedding and the unique Baba & Nyonya feast. I believe ‘Tok Panjang’ is meaningful to the couple and it is practised to unite and bring closeness to the family and friends.

Congratulation!