A pair of slippers, embroidered with gold thread on the upper, with colorful beads the size of rice grains embroidered with flowers, birds, fish, and insects, resembling reliefs. Such exquisite slippers are a special gift made by the bride for the groom in Peranakan culture. Baba Nyonya "refers to a mixed race community formed by intermarriage between immigrants from the southeastern coastal areas of China who migrated to the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia and the local indigenous people since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, men are called "Baba" and women are called "Nyonya". They are a unique cultural group nurtured by the Maritime Silk Road. At present, entering the underground level of the Capital Museum's "Baba Nyonya Culture Exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road" feels like stepping into their world. Wu Wei Huan Jian Xiang Xin Niang Ya Cai is a famous dish in Southeast Asia, which is the result of the collision between Chinese culinary skills and Southeast Asian spices. It is also the warmest comfort for travelers' homesickness. As soon as I walked into the exhibition hall, the various pungent scents permeating the air made my mouth water. The exhibition hall cleverly designed spice display cabinets that resemble color palettes, allowing visitors to smell the unique flavors of spices through the small holes in the display cabinets. Eight star anise, cinnamon, lemongrass, black fruit, ginger... These generous gifts from the Southeast Asian land, combined with traditional Chinese cooking techniques in the hands of Baba Nyonya, have created specialty dishes such as five spice braised pork rolls, stir fried mixed dishes, Nyonya cakes, and wuda, which are still extremely important categories in Southeast Asian traditional cuisine. The beauty of cuisine also needs to be complemented by objects used for serving. In the display cabinet, two rows of neatly arranged Peranakan porcelain stand out. The plates, bowls, and wine glasses are all adorned with pink phoenix and peony patterns - their shapes, glazes, and patterns are all imprinted with a strong Chinese ceramic style. However, upon closer examination of its uses and combinations, some changes can be observed. The most distinctive utensils are covered pots and cups. The former is used to hold drinking water, food, desserts, etc., while the latter is used to hold bird's nest soup and sugar rice dumpling on grand occasions. This is not only an adaptive improvement of objects, but also reflects the resilience and creativity demonstrated by culture in adapting to new environments. Gold thread and silver needle embroidered Huazhang clothing is the most dazzling identity symbol of Peranakan and the most intuitive visual expression of cultural integration. In the center of the exhibition hall, a set of exquisitely embroidered "Kebaya" has attracted the attention of many viewers. Green with apricot orange, from a distance it resembles the silhouette of a traditional Malay sarong, but up close it is struck by the winding peony branches on the hem of the garment, creating a warm picture of cultural integration on the silk. Upon closer inspection of the skirt surface, the Malay batik "Buddy" pattern cleverly coexists with Chinese flower and leaf patterns, weaving lines together without any sense of abrupt splicing. In addition to clothing, Nyonya also has an extremely sophisticated pursuit of accessories, especially when attending important occasions, Nyonya will carefully match gorgeous jewelry. Don't be fooled by these small and exquisite jewelry pieces, they are also important witnesses to the integration of diverse cultures. The design inspiration for Nyonya jewelry is mostly borrowed, referenced, and modified from local communities, and craftsmen from China, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, and other places have also provided assistance for the processing and production of these jewelry. As a result, Nyonya jewelry gradually formed a unique style, forming its own school, containing both ancestral patterns and embracing the craftsmanship and aesthetics of foreign lands. Building a Peranakan mansion with bricks, tiles, wood, and stones is the most concrete carrier of cultural integration in physical space. As the Baba community takes on the role of a trade intermediary between the Western and local markets, a cultural wave originating from the West quietly infiltrates their daily lives and leaves a distinct mark in architectural decoration. Among them, the introduction and application of European ceramic tiles, especially those with pink floral patterns, can be regarded as representative. They are widely spread on the porch, floor, and even staircase facades of the mansion, injecting a unique and exotic atmosphere into the originally wooden and stone dominated architecture. From the simulated living room in the exhibition hall, it is not difficult for the audience to see that Baba Nyonya has a preference for ceramic tiles. As the core decoration of the residence, the furniture purchased by Baba Nyonya is highly characteristic of Chinese culture. In the center of the display cabinet, two ebony inlaid mother of pearl armchairs stand side by side, with a ebony coffee table in the middle, forming a traditional furniture placement form of "one table and two chairs". Upon closer inspection, the craftsmanship of each armchair is extremely exquisite. The white porcelain disc in the center of the chair back is painted with traditional Chinese figure paintings, while the rest is carved with intricate patterns resembling branches using carving techniques. It is embellished with mother of pearl as a decoration, shining brightly under the light. The grandeur and solemnity of Chinese style, the natural agility of Malay style, and the exquisite decoration of European style have been given new life in the mansions of Baba Nyonya. From the rich taste of food, to the exquisite needlework of clothing, to the inclusive space of living, the vibrant creativity of Peranakan culture is gradually emerging. The 600 year story of this ethnic group is like a pearl shining quietly in the long river of history. (New Society)