The songs on this record of Baba Malay music are entitled “Pengantin Soja” (Bridal Respect) and “Pengantin Berarak” (Bridal Procession). It is likely that the former would have been played when the bride was paying her respects to her elders through the traditional tea ceremony. The latter is likely to be played during the bridal procession which occurs on the third day of the twelve day wedding ceremony. This record was used by the donor’s father during the traditional Peranakan Chinese weddings of his extended family.Songs in Malay were popular among Peranakan Chinese who primarily spoke Baba Malay, a dialect of the Malay language which incorporates Hokkien terms and phrases. They are indicative of the assimilation of Peranakan Chinese to the indigenous population of the region by adapting their language.
