Ethnographers Analytical Essay and Field Journal (Malacca Trip) (Reaction Paper Sample)

Name
Institution
Ethnographer's Analytical Essay and
Field Journal (Malacca Trip)
Introduction
Ethnography is an interesting study; it involves the exploration of a selected cultural phenomena (Fine, 1993). This undertaking means not only a graphical representation, but also writing of a culture of a selected group (Fine, 1993). In this case, I took the initiative to explore Malacca. This is regarded as the third smallest state in Malaysia. Situated in the southern region that is commonly termed as the Malay Peninsula, Malacca is boarded by Johor to the South and Negeri Sembilan to the North. This is an analytical report following my itinerary to Malacca.
The Trip Itself
On day one, I drove to Malacca via Johor Bahru. I had booked for accommodation in a nearby hotel (Seyd Meridien Hotel Melaka). I arrived at the hotel at 7.45 pm. The hotel is located near the sea, but it appears that the land near it has been fenced in preparation for the construction of an unknown project. Later, at 8 .10 pm, I got a Google map from the receptionist and started walking towards Jonker. During the 15 minutes-walk, I realized that there were few hotels, most of the area was under development. There were few people in the area.
By 8.35 pm, I had arrived at Jonker walk, and it is characterized by a whole stretch of night market stores. They are very many, and the most prominent stores include those of clothing, ornaments, food, drinks, snacks, palm reading and antiques. The market was made up of young people. The streets were filled with many people, both local and foreign (tourists). It was evident that there were many young parents with their children. At 8.50pm, we decided to have a meal. I went to a traditional peranakan restaurant, and traditional food was served. This local joint had both locals and tourists. The traditional meal, Buak Keluak (stewed chicken with black nuts), was served. This place is simple and is filled with lots of ornaments and traditional photos. I also realized that the kitchen staff of this restaurant were from Indonesia. I had mixed feelings about the food.
At 9.45pm, I went back to Jonker Walk. It was a Friday night. It was very active and lively. The night market was full and traditional music filled the airwaves. It was the last day of the Chinese New Year and as such, it was filled with a host of activities. I realized that there are different dialect clan associations along the street. Local communities meet at a clan house and celebrate. I managed to visit three clan houses. Each clan house has its own activities, group dance, line dance and singing session (karaoke). The celebrations of the last day of the New Year had drawn so many people. Lion dances and music were the most prominent. The celebrations culminated with a series of fireworks. This marked the end of my first day.
On day two, my day began at 8.25 am. The streets looked much different from the night life; night market stores were closed, only shop houses were open. I went for breakfast at the famous chicken ball stall (Kedai Kopi Chung Hwa).
At 9.20 am, I was privileged to visit Christ Church Malacca. It is a national heritage center that was opened apparently in 1753, and it is filled with many tourists. It is not only a heritage, but also a learning center. I met students from Kuala Lumpur University who had come to study the architecture and interior design of the church. Apparently, there was a funeral service that was going on at the church at that time. I wondered whether tourists' visits would disrupt the session, and I managed to have a chat with the pastor. He answered me with surprise that the church welcomed anyone who wished to join them during the service. Tourists were asked in a polite manner not to take pictures during the service as it is seen as a form of disturbance during the funeral service. Although it was a funeral service, it was filled with joy; the service was warm and cheerful.
At 10.45 am, I went back to Jonker walk, it was excessively hot. I realized that there were a lot of antique shops around. I decided to visit one of them. Amazingly, part of the shop had been converted into coffee heaven, and a resting place. It was a strategic move; as people came to rest and take a cup of coffee, they could view the antiques on exhibition. At 11.45 am, I crisscrossed Jonker Street, and came across Taman Warisan Dunia Jonker walk. It had bronze like sculptures; it is a mini garden with a restroom. The most prominent feature of this place is the muscular man sculpture. This is the sculpture of Datuk Wira Dr. Gan Booon Leong, who is regarded as the father of Malaysian body builders. Many tourists visit this area to take pictures.
By midday, I was sweaty and hungry. I had a quick lunch at an old traditional looking coffee shop and continued with exploration. I explored mosques and temples. Kampung Kling mosque was the most prominent; its architectural design and fittings are exceptionally prominent. Before, entering the mosque, one's attire must be appropriate. Next to the Mosques was the Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Temple, a Hindu temple, but it was closed. Down the road, there is the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. It had a beehive of activities; there were a lot of people coming in for prayer and offering. The doors, pillars and walls of the temple had tiger carvings, dragons and phoenixes. The fact that two different temples and a mosque are located next to each other is testament to the harmony and acceptance of each religious group.
In the afternoon at 2.15 pm, I decide to visit a nearby café, café 1511; though modern, café 1511 has reserved some traditional features. Finally, I had the opportunity to visit Baba and Nonya Museum; houses at the museum, according to the tour guide, were built by the Portuguese during the colonization era. We managed to see the museum's belief colors, traditional clothes, dinner wares and architecture. As the evening drew in at 4.15 pm, I decided to hover around in various coffee shops. There was this in unusual coffee shop that was full of elderly people sharing nonya-pastries and coffee and chatting about life. The environment was warm and cheerful. The unity of the local communities, their welcoming attitude and the little things they do make tourists feel at home; they are a unique form of attraction that gives tourists the wish of coming back.
Literature Review
UNESCO has listed Malacca as a world heritage center. This area was a small fishing village that was inhabited by local Malays before the arrival of the first sultans (Zian, 1992). According to the local theories, Malacca was found by the last Raja of the present day Singapore, Sri Majara. Apparently, Sri Majara also known as Parameswara, was resting under a tree at the river bank when one of his dogs pounced on a mouse deer. The mouse deer pushed Sri Majara's dog into the river in self-defense. That phenomenon amazed Parameswara; he saw it as a good sign; the weak had overpowered the mighty. On that spot, he claimed to have found an empire, which he named Melaka, in memory of the tree under which he was resting that day. Parameswara, in association with the wondering proto-Malays, and sea-people established Melaka as a powerful trading center.
Since it was a busy center, it is believed that, in the ancient centuries, a Chinese Princess came to Melaka with over 500 attendants (Kosasih, 2013). The Princess married a Sultan. Likewise, the 500 attendants intermarried with the locals, and that is why there is a huge Chinese presence and culture in Malacca (Kosasih, 2013). In terms of religion, Islam is by far the largest religion commanding 66 percent. It is followed by Buddhism (24%), Hinduism (5.7%), Christianity (3%) and Chinese ethnic religion (0.2%) (Chia, 1998). Malay ethnic group is the most dominant commanding 63 percent (Chia, 1998). It is followed by Chinese (25%), Indians (6%), and a small percentage of people with Portuguese ancestry (Chia, 1998). There is also a small percentage of non-believers.
What is interesting is that tourists can share the local Christ Church with the natives (Sudipta, Sarat & Babu, 2010). Tourists can flock in and out of the church for site seeing, even when services are ongoing in the same church. This is a testament to the community's receptiveness and politeness. This aspect is an indication of Malaysia's rich cultural tourism. According to Sudipta, Sarat and Babu (2010), cultural tourism not only brings pride to the local communities, but also enhances bonding between the locals and tourists. This form of tourism is the surest way to preserve, as well as, promote a state's unique cultural heritage (Sudipta, Sarat & Babu, 2010). Malaysia has varied cultural heritages. Historical sites such as Christ Church of Malacca are sources of cultural tourism. As such, heritage and culture have become leading sources of tourism attraction (Sudipta, Sarat & Babu, 2010). As a consequence, locals have become familiar with this development. This is why they are generous and welcoming. They have the discipline to welcome tourists in a church even in the midst of church services.
Malacca has become the leading source of cultural attraction in Malaysia (Sudipta, Sarat & Babu, 2010). Tourism has made Malaysia to emerge as a major superpower in South Asia. Malacca is strategically located, and has some of the major cultural attractions found in the entire country. Apart from church visits, tourists mingle with the locals in local restaurants. Malaccans have adopted to this form of life, and are very friendly (Sudipta, Sarat & Babu, 2010). A tour around Malacca reveals the friendliness of the local communities. On top of that, it is evident that Malacca provides tourists with various forms of adventures and sports, site seeing, entertainment, beach and island tourism, and rural tourism in the form of home stays (...