Portuguese Intermarriage With Malaysian

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY


Portuguese Settlement in Malacca is one of the famous historic place visits by the tourists every year. The residents are known as Portuguese Eurasian Community. The Dr. Anthony E. Sibert explain that the history of Malacca Portuguese community began long times ago before they were ethnically classified as “ Eurasians”[1] by the British on 1820 – thus the blurring of their heritage.

The Malaysian National Census 2000 indicates that the population of the Malacca Eurasian (Serani)[2] community is 2149. It is 17% of the Eurasian Malaysian population of 12650. In the national census, Malacca Eurasian (Serani) community is classified under “Others” which means 0.6% or 3815 of the total Malacca population of 1313 449. The community is 56% of the “others” in Malacca among the minorities. The national census also shows that the community comprises 51% males and 49% females.[3]

Wedding are a thing of beautiful and a joy forever. Some of the wedding customs in Portugal may vary slightly depending on the location within the country.
In days past it was customary for the groom to send a friend or a relative to ask the prospective bride father if he could ask for the daughter hand in marriage. If the father agreed then the young man would formally ask for the girl hand in marriage and the marriage was allowed to take place.

There are a few of the old traditions which are not practiced even by couples wishing to wed the old-fashioned way. For example, there was a tradition in which the prospective bride would pretend to be a cow that needed to be recognized by its owner, her soon-to-be husband. Customs such as these are usually skipped over.

For the ceremony the traditional bride wears a white Chinese tunic covered with colorful jewels. The groom wears a dark suit, white shirt, and a stylish dark top hat. At the conclusion of the ceremony, as the bride and groom are placing their wedding bands on each other hand, the priest covers the couple with his stole.

Then, as the happy couple exit the church, their friends and family throw flowers and candies in the same way that other cultures toss rice or wheat. Following the ceremony the couple parades through the streets, where friends, family and even complete strangers wish them happiness in their new life together. The couples then have a quiet time together, where they traditionally drink tea and eat small cakes.

The following day the couple visits all of their wedding guests and personally thanks each one for attending their wedding.

Today the young couple is more likely to go to a wedding reception following the marriage ceremony. The reception is held either at a home or, more commonly today, in a restaurant. During the reception there is much traditional music, dancing, plenty of sea food and other delicacies, and much wine. Portugal[4] is known for its wine and wedding guests are known for their frequent toasts to the happy couple.

At the reception there is much dancing and laughing and the telling of stories about the bride and the groom. There is also, traditionally, a money dance, during which young men pay for the privilege of dancing with the bride or during which the bride shoe is passed around the dance floor and is filled with money to help the new couple get a start in life and to have a long and happy honeymoon.

So while it is possible for a young couple to enjoy a modern wedding in Portugal, it is also becoming more and more common for weddings to incorporate some of the fun and old-fashioned values of the more ancient traditions. Either way, there are few places in the world more steeped in tradition or more romantic in which to marry than Portugal.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS


This research is based to help Portuguese community be more focus and concern about the changes to their marriage culture when they coming to Malacca in the first place. In order to do so, these Portuguese community have to realize the impact that they have when started to inter-marriage with locals after conquered Malacca on 1511, that is the main problem that the Portuguese community have to consider. Basically, when they married the locals in Malacca, unconsciously they had to learn in adapting with the local culture, to suit with theirs.

This may create a new dimension of problem to Portuguese community. Even though it is almost 500 years ago since they came and ruled our country, the problem occurred once they married with locals may still be exist even until now. The Portuguese communities have to bear in mind that it would take them few hundred years more in order to solve those problems.

As these Malaysian Portuguese are the descendents from the ancient Portuguese warriors that once conquered and ruled Malacca, they did not have the rights to be inserted into the Bumiputras community in Malaysia. These Bumiputras are basically consists of several tribes originally from Malaysia, which is once called as “Kepulauan Tanah Melayu”. These tribes which called as the Bumiputras, includes Malays, “Orang Asli” and the tribes that lives in Sabah and Sarawak.

Thus, Chinese, Indian and others group of community, including the Malaysian Portuguese did not officially includes in the Bumiputras group as they are not inherited in “Tanah Melayu” in the first place. These people being brought into “Tanah Melayu” by the English people as a labour worker to develop our “Tanah Melayu” into agriculture and industries of latex and ore metal in the early years of existing “Tanah Melayu”.

Besides local cultures, Portuguese community also has to consider about the differences on local traditions, the languages, the different taste and cuisines, the customs, beliefs and all sort of things that required them to learn through times, as well as adapting into their culture in their daily life routines.

1.3 PURPOSE OF STUDY


Portugal is an ancient and once-powerful country rich with tradition and heritage, including many ancient wedding customs. In ancient times, the Portuguese wedding was used to marry simply to build a family. The marriage rate has demonstrated a progressive rise during the twentieth century. Age at marriage has been characterized by both spatial and temporal variation. That is, marriage generally occurs later in the north than in the south, though differences are slowly disappearing. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact on mixed marriage on Portuguese community with Malaysian. In addition, it intends to compare and analyze the Portuguese marriage cultures in term of tradition culture, ritual and many aspects. Furthermore, the research also will identify the influences factors or causes that make existing the different between marriage cultures of Malacca Portuguese with origin Portuguese. It will also determine whether the different will affect Portuguese traditions and Portuguese community. Research also can help people in Malaysia to more understanding about Portuguese marriage culture and take advantage by this research. Reason conducting this research or aim of this study is to help Portuguese community more focus and concern about the changes to the marriage culture when they coming to Malacca. The study is limited to students, lecturers and others in MARA University Of Technology at City Campus of Malacca.



1.4 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

1.4.1 To identifies the problems of intermarriage on Portuguese community with Malaysian.
1.4.2 To identify the causes and impact of Portuguese marriage culture with Malaysian.
1.4.3 To know whether Malaysians know about the existence of Portuguese community in Malaysia.
1.4.4 To identify the major causes that influence youngsters to marry different races.


1.5 REESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.5.1 How serious is the problems of intermarriage of Portuguese community in Malacca?
1.5.2 What are the causes and impacts of intermarriage of Portuguese community?
1.5.3 What can be done to solve this problem?

1.6 SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the research conducted is to evaluate the impact on intermarriage of Portuguese community with Malaysian. There are three parties will benefit from this study. The significant of study is emphasizing on:

1.6.1 UiTM Malacca City Campus
From this research, UiTM Malacca City Campus will search out further information about the impact on intermarriage of Portuguese community with Malaysian. For instance, the result that we gather from this research will help UiTM Malacca City Campus to achieve their objective, mission and vision. Beside that, this research will help UiTM Malacca City Campus to produce a quality graduates.

1.6.2 Student
This research will give the advantages to students in order to know more about the tradition of Portuguese community in Malaysia. It is important to student’s future to look up in improve their knowledge.

1.6.3 Researcher
By doing this research will give an opportunity to the researcher to gain more information on how to handling the research based on the problem. The researcher objective is to identify the problems of intermarriage on Portuguese community with Malaysian.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study is bases on intermarriage among local people in Malaysia with Portuguese community live in Malaysia. The selected respondents are from lecturers, students and others from UiTM Malacca City Campus.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW


The Malacca Portuguese Community is a community that has their own identity because of the intermarriages and ethnic transformation with mix cultural elements. Mr.Joseph Sta Maria (2003-2006) explains about the historical beginning in Malacca and the birth of Malacca Portuguese Eurasian race. They are known by Luzo-Malays, Kristangs, Malaysian Portuguese and Eurasian. This community practices only the Portuguese cultural traditions even though many of them may have English, Dutch, Spanish or other European surnames.

Mr.Joseph Sta Maria (2003-2006) explained Malacca was ruled by the Dutch for 160 years which is 30 years longer than the Portuguese. In contrast only Portuguese and Malay practiced the language and tradition for the entire region. This is because during the rule of Dutch [5]in Malacca, the Portuguese Community was allowed to practice their religion and tradition.
Rajagopal(2007) write in The Sun, 28/12/07 about the confusion identity over Portuguese Community live in Malacca. People in Malaysia identify them as Kristang[6], not the Portuguese. Not only identity but also to their culture, traditions and cuisine. Kristang refer to people who embrace in Christian.

The name "Kristang" appears to be used occasionally also for other people of mixed European and Asian descent presently living in Malaysia and Singapore.The Portuguese Settlement residents said there have many causes make them must to label as Malaysian Portuguese. They still maintain they original tradition and language although they were leaved their original country.

Government offered the Amanah Saham Nasional only to Portuguese community organizes Portuguese culture activities. This is the first step government given official recognition as Malaysian Portuguese. Their wants people stop immediately to label them as Kristang because they strongly feel wrong usage.

www.tourismmelaka.com.my writes DiGi[7] Amazing Malaysians projects for this year that ended with a musical showcase involved Kristang. The title of song is “Wedding on the Beach”, translates from KAZAMINTU no Praiya. In Saturday night, the residents from outside the town swept away by which reverberated throughout the neighbourhood, cymbals clashing and guitar strings singing as a choir.

Joan Marbeck is a guest, a retired music teacher born and bred in Malacca, who has taken the initiative to preserve the heritage of her people, the Kristang. The Kristang is descendent of Portuguese who arrived to Malacca in the 16th-century. They still maintain they tradition and custom in the new land. Some Malay word was absorbed to Kristang lexicon.

According To Marbeck, Population of Kristang community in Malacca is about 200,000 people from Malacca community. But only 5,000 are able to speak in Kristang language. There remains that at least one person in each family can speak Kristang language in the Portuguese Settlement. Kristang language does not practice in school.

With help by DiGi Amazing Malaysians programme, Musical drama that involves Kristang culture can be launch to public. According to Marbeck said, theme of wedding is important because it give something value to Malaysians relates to. Like traditionally Malays, Chinese and Indians wedding, a traditional Kristang marriage is match-made.

Conferences involving various Portuguese leaders and other interested groups, including the Regedor’s panel and Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Association can help them promote proper identity. They should also form a National Malaysian Portuguese Council to protect their right in issues that were affecting them.

Rajagopal(2008) writes in The Star, 25/12/2007 states Portuguese residents are unhappy when outsiders labeled them as “Kristang”, and not as Portuguese. Moreover, the word “Kristang” also further used to describe about their festivals, culture, traditions and cuisines. In addition, their village also called as Kristang Village[8]. Kristang in Portuguese language means Christian and it refer to a person’s religion. So, it does not indicate a person’s nationality.

The settlement Portuguese are descendents of Portuguese warriors who once conquered Malacca in 1511 and mostly started intermarried with locals. These people want to be addressed as Malaysian Portuguese since their birth certificate also indicates their nationality as Portuguese.

They get their status recognized as Portuguese when Malaysian Government offered Amanah Saham Nasional for those who practicing Portuguese culture. The word Kristang being misjudged by others and it is bringing great damage to the Portuguese residents’ identity. It would confuse visitors to find people called Kristang in village named Portuguese Settlement.

Therefore, it is bad for the tourist as they may create bad impression towards Portuguese people. In overall, the residents strongly urged others to stop using the word Kristang and start to recognize them as Malaysian Portuguese. Probably, they really need to organize a conference involving various Portuguese leaders, including the Regedor’s panel and Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Association, to find ways to clarify and promote the residents’ proper identity and image.

They also could form a National Malaysian Portuguese Council that can act as sole voice and official body dealing with issues affecting them. This council could form various groups to provide information and materials for researchers, writers and other interested bodies regarding Portuguese culture. It would ensure that only the right information of the community and country are being disseminated throughout the locals.

According to Mr.Joseph Sta Maria, intermarriage between the locals which is the Malacca community, they will have the same privileges as any Portuguese. He also added that Albuquerque was known to have offered reward to those who marriage local women. It was also recorded that the Portuguese had also taken along with them women in their voyages (Orphans of the Queen).[9]

Pesta San Pedro (1989) describes, even if the Portuguese is place over the world, their religion, customs and language would not be destroyed. It can be proof by the statement of Joao de Barros which has been translated in English that means the Portuguese arms and boundary marks placed in Africa and in Asia and in countless isles beyond the bounds of three continents, are material things and time may destroy them. But it will not destroy the religion, customs, and language which the Portuguese have left in those lands. He added that the mixed-breed from the mix-marriage in Malacca is known as ‘mesticos’ as it is a new ethnic group.

Cave (1997) describes about the intermarriage between Portuguese and local Malaysian has started when fresh Portuguese blood from the soldiers that marry with local girls. Cave explains about the soldiers that choose to live and to live and marry with local girls. He also added that a population of mixed blood was establishing in a three or four generation.

Joan Margeret Marbeeck (1994), states that the songs of Singhalese Girl in their wedding ceremony can be interpreted in many ways. The young man will tease a girl he admires but there is a matchmaker in Kristang community. She added that the matchmaker is well respect by the bachelor because of her foresight in choosing the bride for them. The bachelor will settle his choice according to the girl that has been chosen by the matchmaker in order to live with the girl he loves.

When the intermarriages with the local population, the Portuguese descent was allowed to invest in the ASB.ASN can improve their standard of living. Portuguese settlement regador’s[10] panel Malacca (1994) also added that chief Minister Malacca of prime minister has approve their applications to invest which result in good annual dividend. Portuguese individuals or association in the other states in Malaysia also have written to Malacca state government about the Portuguese and Bumiputra status. They are waiting for a reply from government.


2.1 Theoretical Framework

2.1.1 Introduction

According to Sekaran (2003), the theoretical framework is logically developed, described and explained network of associates among variables of interest to the researcher. It is included the dependent and independent variables. Dependent variables (also known as response variable) are a factor whose values in different treatment condition are compared. That is, the experimental is interested in determining if the value of the dependent variables varies when the values of another variable – the independent variables – are varied, and by how much. In simple term, the independent variable is said to cause and apparent change in, or simply affects, the dependent variable. In analysis, researchers usually want to explain why the dependent variable has a given value. In research, the values of a dependent variable in different settings are usually compared. For this study, researcher has found the independent variable in the theoretical framework is textbooks and the dependent variable is a student’s performance.

2.2 VARIABLES:

Sekaran (2003) state that variable is anything that can take on differing or varying value. The value can differ at various times for the same object or person or at the same time for different objects or persons. There are two types of variable. They are dependent variable and independent variable.

2.2.1 DEPENDENT VARIABLE:

The dependent variable is the variable of primary interest to the researcher. The researcher goals is to understand and describe the dependent variable or to explain its variability or predict it. It is the main variable that lend itself for investigation as a variable factor. Through the analysis of the dependent variable, it is possible to find solution to the problems. For this purpose, the researcher will be interested in quantifying and measuring the dependent variable as well as the other variables that influence this variable.

2.2.2 INDEPENDENT VARIABLE:

An independent variable is one that influences the dependent variable in a positive or negative way. When the independent variable is present, the dependent variable is also present. Each unit of increase in independent variable will influence the increasing or decreasing in the dependent variable also. The variance in the dependent variable is accounted for by the independent.

2.3 THEORATICAL FRAMEWORK

Independent variable Dependent variable

Migration to Malaya
Intermarriages with local population PORTUGUESE MIX MARRIAGE
Desires
International Trade



2.3.1 HYPOTHESIS

Sekaran (2003) argues that hypothesis as a logical conjectured relationship between two or more variable express in the form of a testable statement. It is on the basis of the network of associations established in theoretical framework. It is expected that solution can be found to correct the problems encounter. There are two types of hypothesis. They are null hypothesis (H0) and alternative hypothesis (H1). Null hypothesis (H0) is express as n o relationship between two variables while alternative hypothesis (H1) is express which is the opposite of the null hypothesis.


H1: H0: Migration to Malaya has no significant relationship with Portuguese intermarriage
H1: Migration to Malaya has significant relationship with Portuguese intermarriage

H2: H0: Intermarriage with local population to Malaya has no significant relationship with Portuguese mix Marriage
H1: Intermarriage with local population to Malaya to Malaya have significant mix relationship with Portuguese Marriage

H3: H0: Desires to Malaya has no significant relationship with Portuguese intermarriage
H1: Desires to Malaya has significant relationship with Portuguese intermarriage

H4: H0: International Trade to Malaya has no significant relationship with Portuguese intermarriage
H1: International Trade to Malaya has significant relationship with Portuguese intermarriage



2.4 Limitation of research

There are several constraint that faced by the researcher while conducting the research. Among of them are:

2.4.1 Lack of experience

This is the first time the researcher has been exposed to the writing concept of the research and we will not have any experience to handle the accurate research. It takes time for us to study all over again the step on do the research. Even researcher has learned a little bit at theory class, we still not ready to complete with superb paper work. Researcher needs a gap to essentially be familiar with writing of paper work.

2.4.2 Time constraints

There is time constraint for us in conducting the research. It takes only 2 month for us to complete this research. Because of the short time period, it is difficult for us to gather the enough information regarding the study. We need a lot of time in searching the articles for literature review, in doing research proposal, questionnaires and final report.


2.4.3 Budget constraints

We faced a budget constraint in finishing this research. It is involved a high cost including the cost of the printing papers, ink printer, hand cover, photocopy of the questionnaires to be given to the respondents.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

According to the William G. Zikmund research textbook, research design is a master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the needed information. It is a framework or blue print that plans the action for the research project. The objective of the study determine during the early stages of the research are included in the design to ensure that the information collected is appropriate for solving the problem. The research investigator must also specify the sources of information, the research method or technique (survey or experiment, for example), the sampling methodology, and the schedule and cost of the research.
Research design for this study, researcher determination applies the causal research. Causal Research is a research conducted to identify cause-and-effect relationships among variables when the research problem has already been narrowly defined. Causal Research is conducted for the following purpose:

3.1.1 Change one variable and then observe the effect on another variable.
3.1.2 Evidence of concomitant variation: - is the occurrence of two phenomena or events that vary together.
3.1.3 Recognize the presence or absence of alternative plausible explanations or causal factors. A plurality of cause in possible.


3.2 UNIT OF ANALYSIS

The respondents are included lecturers, students and others in UiTM Malacca City Campus.


3.3 SAMPLE SIZE

Sample size is the size of a sample, the number of observations or cases specified by:
1. The estimated variance of the population
2. The magnitude of acceptable error and
3. The confidence level
The total number for sampling size in this study is fifty (50) respondents



3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

The sampling technique for this study is probability sampling. Probability sampling is sampling techniques in which every member of the population will be having a known, nonzero probability of selection. Under probability sampling, researchers has chosen Stratified Sampling is a probability sampling technique in which sub-samples are drawn from samples within different strata that are more or less equal on some characteristics.


3.5 MEASUREMENT

3.5.1 LIKERT SCALE

The most frequently used variation of the summated rating scale. Summated scales consist of statements that express either a favorable or unfavorable attitude toward the object of interest. The respondent is asked to agree or disagree with each statement. Each response is given a numerical score to reflect its degree of attitudinal favorableness, and the scores may be totaled to measure the respondent’s attitude.


3.5.2 INTERVAL SCALE

An interval scale allows us to perform certain arithmetical operations on the data collected from the respondents. Whereas the nominal scale only allows us to qualitatively distinguish groups by categorizing them into mutually exclusive and collectively exhausted sets, the ordinal scale allows us to rank order the preferences, and the interval scale allows us to compute the means and the standard deviations of the responses on the variables. In other words, the interval scale not only groups individuals according to certain categories and taps the order of this group.


3.6 DATA COLLECTION

Researcher has determined two ways in gathering data for this study which is the primary data and the secondary data.

3.6.1 Primary Data

Primary data is data gathered and assembled specifically for the research project at hand. Usually primary data collected by researcher. The methods that used under primary data are as follow:


3.6.1.1 Questionnaires

Finding can be gathered by distribute question to respondents. This is effective method to gain opinion from respondents.

3.6.1.2 Interview

A data collection method in which the researcher asks for information verbally from the respondents. The benefit of interviewing is researcher can get information directly from interviewee.


3.6.2 Secondary Data

Secondary data is data that have been previously collected for some purpose other than the one at hand. The methods that used under secondary data are as follow:

3.6.2.1 Journal and articles

Journal and articles can be gathered from the sources online such as Wikipedia, Google, Msn and others. All these information is important in order to make sure the research is complete. We can acquire a lot of information from both journal and articles.


3.6.2.2 Internet

The information also can be gathered through the internet. Internet provided a lot of information that we need to complete the research. Internet is a simplest method to find the information because it is economical and can saving time. There are so many website that we can surf in order to find the information.

3.6.2.3 Reference book

Reference book gives a guideline to the researcher while completed the research. Beside that, it will help the researcher to determine all the information especially for the theoretical framework. There are many reference books which are related to the study.

4.0 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION


4.1 FINDINGS

The data for this study was obtained through a questionnaire distributed to respondents among the UITM community. The questionnaire is about the impact on intermarriage Portuguese community with Malaysia. However, in this analysis and findings, the most critical and important issues will be identified and selected that need to be tackled or resolved as further elaborate in my conclusions and recommendations. The analysis of data revealed the followings;

4.1.1 SECTION A: DEMOGRAPHIC

4.1.1.1 Age:

FIGURE 1:


Based on our research, the age of respondents is around 19 years and above. At age of 19 to 23 years show about 68%, 24 to 26 years is 18% and 27 years and above is 14%. There is a big gap between the numbers of age because most of our respondents are UITM students, lectures and others. Others are referring to UITM staff (Librarians, Technicians and security guards).


4.1.1.2 Gender

FIGURE 2:

From the pie chart above, 70% from the total of 100% is female respondents meanwhile the balance of 26% are male respondents. This pie chart shows a big different between gender because the environment of UITM that monopoly by female students compared to male. Some of male students are not interested to answer the questionnaires.


4.1.1.3 Professions

FIGURE 3

The result from the bar chart shows that students are the highest respondents from the survey which is 70% while second highest is others that is 18%. In contrast, 10% from the total of 100% is lecturers. They are the lowest respondents because at the time when the survey is conducted, most lecturers are lack of time to answer the questionnaires.


4.1.1.3 Religion

FIGURE 4:

From our survey, majority of our respondents are Islam which is 88% compared to Buddha (8%), Christian and others (2%). This is because UITM is available for Bumiputra only and majority of students are Malay. In addition, Christian, Buddha and others are the minority group in UITM campus since they came from Sabah and Sarawak.

4.1.2 SECTION B

4.1.2.1 Have you heard about intermarriage with Portuguese in our community?

FIGURE 5:

Based on the feedback from respondents, it determined that the highest number of respondents that have heard about Portuguese’s intermarriage is 86% of 100%.


4.1.2.2 Interested to know about those intermarriage customs?

FIGURE 6:

Based on the survey, the result shows 80% of respondents are interested to know about intermarriage compared to 20% of them who answered to be not interested.



4.1.2.3 Do you think Portuguese people could maintain their local marriage tradition (Which located in Portugal) once they’re married with Malaysian?

FIGURE 7:


Based on result compiled, 32% answer no.


4.1.2.4 As a Malaysian, have you ever joined any of Portuguese activities?

FIGURE 8:


From the result, 72% of respondents never joined Portuguese cultural activities compared to 28%.


4.1.2.5 What is the main factor that would make us not involve in Portuguese activities:

FIGURE 9:


The result that we get from our research is 54% (do not have the opportunity) is the main factors that would make respondents not to involve in Portuguese activities.


4.1.2.6 Please choose which Portuguese cultural activities that you are interested?

FIGURE 10:

According to survey, respondents who are interested in the Portuguese cultural marriage shows is about 24 %.



4.1.2.7 What do you think would be the major causes that influence the youngsters to marry different races?

FIGURE 11:

From the pie chart above, we found that the major cause that influence the youngsters to marry different races is based on love (68%) or affection.


4.1.2.8 From your point of view, how long would this intermarriage could last?

FIGURE 12:

As a result, 50% respondents agreed that the period of intermarriage is range between 10 years and above.


4.1.2.9 If you are given a chance to marry with other races, which race would you
choose?

FIGURE 13:

The graft above shows that the race which the respondents had chose for Portuguese is (10%).


4.1.2.10 How many times have you read articles or heard issues about Portuguese mixed community in “Malacca Hari ini” (newspaper) in average for a month?

FIGURE 14


Pie chart above shows the frequency of respondent in Uitm Malacca whose notice about the issues about Portuguese community in “Melaka Hari Ini” newspaper. The largest portion is 62% which give result that they never noticed or haven’t read about the issues in the local newspaper.


4.1.2.11 Where do you get information about Portuguese community?

FIGURE 15

The bar chart above gives information about the sources where the respondents get to knows about this Portuguese community. Most of them get the information from a friend which is 32%.


4.1.2.12 Do you agree that people nowadays are more receptive with intermarriage concept?

FIGURE 16:


From our survey, we found that 50% of the respondents are receptive about the intermarriage concept since it incurred many benefits such as the respondents could learn and be knowledgeable about the new culture exist in their recent communities.


4.1.2.13 Do you agree that Portuguese mix community will benefit our Malaysian
tourism industry?

FIGURE 17:

From our finding, we found that 56% of respondents agreed that the Portuguese community will benefit tourism industry someday.


4.1.2.14 Do you agree that marriage between Portuguese with Malaysian will form a better community from its origin?

FIGURE 18:


From the result, 40% agree with us, which the mix of both will produce a better form of community later.


4.1.2.15 Do you agree that Portuguese can get the Bumiputra status if they marrying Malaysian?

FIGURE 19:

The survey shows 44% agreed that the Portuguese will get their Bumiputra status from the intermarriage with locals.



4.1.2.16 Do you agree that Malaysian Government should give these Portuguese the rights to buy Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN)?

FIGURE 20:

As a result, 18% from the respondents are disagreed about giving the rights to this Portuguese community in buying our Amanah Saham Nasional.


4.1.2.17 Do you agree that Malaysians Portuguese cannot get the rights of Bumiputras
because they are the minority group?

FIGURE 21:

From our survey, 26% agreed that the Portuguese community cannot get the right of Bumiputra since they are the minority group in Malaysia.


4.1.2.18 Do you agree that Malaysian Government should consider sending them back to Portugal in future?

FIGURE 22:

Thus, 30% of the respondents are disagreed with the idea of sending the Portuguese people back to Portugal since they had united with the locals since 1911.


4.1.2.19 In your opinion, how would Portuguese community adapt the new culture

after getting married with other races?

FIGURE 23:


From our research, 14% respondents mentioned that the Portuguese will adapt the new culture by getting a good relationship with people in different races.


4.1.2.20 Will you allow your children to marry other races? Please comment.

FIGURE 24:

From the observations, 56% respond “Yes” to the question since people nowadays are more receptive with the intermarriage concept in their community.


5.0 CONCLUSION


Occasionally, our research main purpose is to investigate the main impact that incurred by Portuguese community when they started intermarriage with locals, after conquered Malacca on 1511. Our primary data were collected by randomly distributing questionnaires to 50 respondents, which allocated from UiTM, Malacca City Campus. Based on the finding, the following conclusions can be drawn:-

5.1 At first, the study shows that 86% of the respondents have heard about the mixed marriage with Portuguese in our community. Here, we can conclude that majority of the respondents are aware regarding the intermarriage issue with the Portuguese community in our country. Most of them have learned in details about the history of Portuguese since 1511 during their primary schools as well as their secondary schools.

5.2 Based on the survey, the result shows that 80% of the respondents are interested to know about intermarriage concept between the Portuguese community with locals. Unfortunately, the respondents do not have proper exposure regarding this matter even though they are inspired to know more. Furthermore, Portuguese community didn’t get much support especially in terms of sources of funds by the local State of Government regarding any issues related to them. They may conduct their own activities using their own funds allocation.

5.3 32% of the respondent thought that Portuguese could not maintain their marriage tradition when marrying Malaysian. Some of the beliefs and customs cannot be implemented once they married the locals. For examples, Portuguese future Groom’s family will drink grape wine to celebrate and welcomed their future daughter-in-law after attending the “Bachelor’s Night” festive at the future Bride’s house. If their future daughter-in-law is a Muslim, she cannot drink the wine served by her future husband’s family due to her religion’s customs and beliefs.

5.4 From the result, 72% of respondent had never joined any Portuguese cultural activities. Therefore, it is because of less exposure regarding this matter among our community. As to promote our mixed cultures to the foreigners, the State Government of Malacca should consider doing rapid promotion regarding these Portuguese cultural activities.

5.5 54% of the respondents don’t have the opportunity to join the Portuguese cultural activities. It is because of the less exposure towards the activities as the related activities are mainly involving the community itself as well as the people in the surrounding area.

5.6 Portuguese cultural marriage is the third factor that preferred by the respondents, which is 24% of the overall respondents. It is because most Portuguese people are Christian, thus they would conduct their marriage ceremony in Church, which is only applicable to Christian people. In addition, most of our respondents are Malays and we assume them as being the Muslims community. They may not enter into the Church in any occasion due to several reasons.

5.7 According to our finding, 68% of the respondents had answered “Love” to be the major causes that influence the youngsters to marry different races. Hence, people nowadays tends to choose their own lovers to be their future husband and wife compared to the old days where parents play the important roles in choosing the future spouse for the sons and daughters. Thus, people tend to choose their future spouse based on their own choice and preferences.

5.8 50% of the respondents agreed that the intermarriage between the Portuguese people with locals will last for 10 years and above. Therefore, marrying different races could also last longer if they maintained constant communication, practiced a win-win situation and also the tolerance behavior between both husband and wife. Moreover, it is important to create a better understanding between both in order to survive in their marriage life.

5.9 Only 10% of the respondents chose Portuguese race, if they were given the chance marrying other races. It occurs regarding the people’s perception against the Portuguese community, which this community is only could be allocated in several places in Malaysia. In Malaysia, this Portuguese people could be found in small state of Malacca and also in Pulau Pinang. They lived in Malaysia in a small portion at certain targeted areas compared to other races.

5.10 The Pie chart in the finding shows 62% of the respondents had never read the issues about Portuguese community in “Melaka Hari Ini” newspaper. Our community less interested in reading any articles related to Portuguese community as they are still misunderstood with Portuguese’s heritage and they are not interested to get to know them better. It is due to the reason that Portuguese people had once conquered Malacca on the year of 1511. Even though it is almost 500 years ago since Portuguese people came to Malacca, our community still can’t accept the fact that our country had been ruled by others for over 500 years ago.

5.11 32% of the respondents got the information about Portuguese community from their friends. Any current news related to Portuguese community is actually difficult to spread throughout our community. People tend to make negative perception towards the community and denied their rights to be accepted as Malaysians.

5.12 50% of the respondents agreed that most people nowadays are more receptive with intermarriage concept. People nowadays are more open-minded and they are willingly accepted any changes occur throughout the community. Since Malaysia is a multiracial country, we as the Malaysian had learned to live in harmony without making any hustle between each race exist in Malaysia.

5.13 56% of the respondents agreed that Portuguese mixed community would soon benefit Malaysian tourism industry. When Portuguese community married with locals, it would definitely create a new generation form. These new generation may inherit at least some of their origin elements. Thus, it will create a new form of community and it would definitely beneficial to our Malaysian tourism industry. Soon, this community will make Malaysia to be more well-known for their unique multiracial country that ever exists.

5.14 40% of the respondents agreed that marriage between Portuguese and Malaysian will form a better community from its origin. The combination of two different generations may absolutely create a better community rather than its origin. The new community formation may combine certain level of efficiency towards the adaption of their new generation. Some people would say that these mixed people’s IQ levels are respectively higher than the ordinary ones. However, no studies had supported this fact.

5.15 44% of the respondents agreed that Portuguese can get Bumiputras status once they marry with Malaysian. Like the Chinese and the Indian, they may get the title as “Malaysian” once they married the locals or once they had stay in Malaysia for several accumulated years. However, they cannot get the Bumiputras’ status as they are not the main community that lived in Malaysia in the first place.

5.16 32% of the respondents are strongly disagreed that Malaysian Government should give Portuguese the rights to buy Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN), which is only applicable to Bumiputras. In facts, Malaysian Government already gave this right to this community in buying the ASN, even though it is only applicable to the Bumiputras. It is one way of the Government of Malaysia in showing their support towards the community as they are all lived in Malaysia and includes as one unity.

5.17 26% of the respondents agreed that Malaysian Portuguese cannot get the right of Bumiputras because they are the minority group. The important criteria to become Bumiputras are the community should be included in the early communities that first exist in Malaysia long time ago. Thus, the races that includes in the Bumiputras’ main lists are the Malays, Sabah and Sarawak’s communities as well as the “Orang Asli”.

5.18 30% of the respondents disagreed that the Portuguese should be sent back to Portugal because of the racial discrimination issue. Since this community has been living in Malaysia for almost 500 years, we shouldn’t consider sending them back to their originated country. Their existence in Malaysia may bring benefit to our country once and for all. The multiracial image of our country may bring up the developed country to view Malaysia as a rapid growing and prosperous country and soon to be included in their list for their investment strategies in foreign direct investment planning.

5.19 18% of the respondents thought that Portuguese community should adapt the new culture after married with other races by maintaining a good learning behavior between both. In order to build harmonious environment in marriage life, both husband and wife should have the willingness as well as the courtesy to keep on learning on each others’ interest and be patient while travelling together with their spouse into the journey of life.

5.20 Last but not least, 50% of the respondents are being receptive to the intermarriage concept that exists in our community nowadays. People are tend to tolerate with the changes occur in their surrounding and they are willing to accept it as well as adapt it in their life routines. Intermarriage concept is not a big issue that needs to be considered by our community in this era.

In overall, this finding is only valid for UiTM, Malacca City Campus community thus it cannot be generalized to other universities. The same study needs to be conducted with community from other universities in order to seek if there are any similarities with the factor influence in the perception of intermarriage among Portuguese community with local people.


6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on findings and conclusions of the study, here are several recommendations to be considered:

6.0.1 We recommend that Government state of Malacca or Tourism of Malaysia should aggressively promote Portuguese cultures that would attract the interest of the people in Malaysia.

6.0.2 It is recommended to provide more information about intermarriage culture to public. Hence, media should play their roles as they must be responsible in distributing information about the Portuguese community aggressively.

6.0.3 Eldest people in Portuguese community should inherit their ancient traditions to be practice and well-known by their younger generation in order to maintain it and would never let it extinct.

6.0.5 We recommend that Government State of Malacca should show their support by offering a sponsorship when they launched any of the Portuguese cultural activities.

6.0.6 Tourism of Malaysia and community of the Portuguese Settlement should aggressively launch the activities and try to expose their activities to the public. Example, be involve in established activities like “Citrawarna Malaysia”.

6.0.7 We recommend that Organizing committee of the Portuguese Culture must promote the intermarriage culture to the public more aggressively .Attract public by showing the truly unique and special culture during wedding ceremony.

6.0.8 It is recommended that parents should train their children that love is important in order to be successful in marriage life. If people happy with his or her spouse, they’ll understand each others wants and needs thus manage to maintain their marriage bond until they both die.

6.0.9 Portuguese community should at least try to maintain their cultural and tradition when they involved in intermarriage. They must care about their tradition from their eldest as long as it doesn’t react negatively to their spouse’s religion.

6.0.10 We recommend that Government of Malaysia must emphasize local people to practice nationalism habits and setting their minds about having Malaysian people as one unity since Malaysia have many races and do not discriminate other races in their daily routines.

6.0.11 It is recommended that “Malacca Hari Ini” must be responsive and more aware about existing of Portuguese community in Malacca. They should produce more information about Portuguese life in Malacca, their villages, community, cultures, tradition, foods and so on that definitely may shows the uniqueness and the specialty of this community as they had known as one of the Malaysian people.

6.0.12 We recommend that Government of Malaysia should emphasize local media to aware about Portuguese community better than before. In addition, Government of Malacca must support Portuguese community in their way of exposing their culture to the public.

6.0.13 Parents nowadays should open their mind in accepting this intermarriage concept among their families.

6.0.14 Government of Malacca should promote aggressively and support the Portuguese Settlement as one of the foremost tourist destinations ever exist in Malaysia. This move will help this community and ensure the preservation of entire village as a bastion for the Malaysian Portuguese community. The Portuguese Settlement is the public face of the community and its prime function is to be a key tourist attraction for the state. They had mentioned a line that sound “Visit historic Malacca means visit Malaysia”.

6.0.15 When intermarriage occur, new generation will exist with unique identity from the mix cultural elements of both. It shows that one community has expanded their descendent to be better community. Parents’ should expose their children about benefit of mix cultural and teach them to mix with other races since their school life.

6.0.16 We recommend that Government of Malaysia should give status of Bumiputra to Portuguese community because they lived in Malaysia for long time, which since 1911. They also give benefit to our country by being attractive location to the tourists who came to Malaysia.

6.0.17 From our research, we found that most respondents cannot accept or disagree that Portuguese community should have the right to buy Amanah Saham Nasional fully from Government of Malaysia. So, it shows that respondents do not accept Portuguese community as a Bumiputra. So, the first step that the Government should do is to give the right to Portuguese community as a Bumiputras. Thus, it would give an official recognition to Malaysian Portuguese as Government of Malaysia would soon offer rights of buying Amanah Saham Nsional to that community. It is a way in helping this community to get a better life as a Malaysian.

6.0.18 We recommend that Government state of Malacca must support Portuguese community by establishing their own Portuguese Council to take charge of their rights and could be the sole voice of this community in the Parliament Hall of Malaysia.

6.0.19 Government of Malaysia should be conscious that Portuguese community is the minority in Malaysia. Government could help Portuguese community by providing and improving the main facilities in Portuguese village in order to maintain and secure they heritage village.

6.0.20 People who wants to marry with other races must have strong capability to handle their situation when they married. They must aware about the important of love in being successful in marriage life. Learn to understand your spouse to have life happy thereafter. Learn to accept the new culture and the existence of the new generation. Good relationship among spouse is the main factor to have good marriage life.

6.0.21 It is recommended that parents must learn to be supportive to their children. Parents should try to accept the intermarriage concept and local people should realize that the process of creating new culture can give benefit to both races.


6.1 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH


Since these studies only focus on community in UiTM Malacca City Campus, it is recommended that further studies be carries out on community in UiTM Malacca City Campus from other universities to see whether there are any similarities in the findings. Furthermore, further research could also explore the main impact of intermarriage Portuguese community with locals. Lastly, although Portuguese community also a Malaysian people and intermarriage between different races are acceptable by our people, it might be a good idea to investigate the impact of intermarriage Portuguese community with locals so that the public will be more concern more about existing of Portuguese community in Malacca and the will give benefit to our tourism of Malaysia.

[1] Old-fashioned someone who has one European parent and one Asian parent
[2] Another name for Eurasian use in Malacca
[3] Dr. Anthony E. Sibert, Himpunan Kertas Kerja Seminar Pengkisahan Melaka 2003-2006
[4] Portugal is an ancient and once-powerful country rich with tradition and heritage, including many ancient wedding customs.
[5] Malacca fall into the hand of the Dutch in 1641
[6] The word Kristang, in Portuguese, means Christian and it refers to a person’s religion, not ethnicity.
[7] Telecommunication company in Malaysia
[8] Portuguese Settlement
[9] women from Portugal to be marriage with local man
[10] Cultural leader of the Portuguese Eurasians in Malaysia.