The Kristang of Malaysia and the burying of their heritage | 马来西亚科里斯塘人传统的消失 скачать в хорошем качестве

The Kristang of Malaysia and the burying of their heritage | 马来西亚科里斯塘人传统的消失

The Kristang is a unique 500-year-old Portuguese culture in Melaka, Malaysia, which has been slowly drowned by reclamation and development projects by their shores since the 70s. In the last few years, however, another megaproject called Melaka Gateway has driven the nails into their coffins. Led locally by Malaysian company KAJ, in partnership with state-owned Chinese energy firm PowerChina, Melaka Gateway was touted to be “the forefront flagship in support of the One Belt, One Road Initiative initiated by the People’s Republic of China,” according to China’s Minister of Transport. The Kristang community protested due to the negative impact of the project on the marine environment, the fishing community, and cultural heritage of the Kristang – many of community’s sea-based rituals can no longer be performed. They fought against the project on the ground that there was no proper Environmental Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessment done. Towards the end of 2020, the state government halted the project. However, talks have restarted recently about possibly reviving parts of it. SYNOPSIS This video illustrates the livelihood, rituals, and nature that the Kristang community used to enjoy before the sea reclamation for Melaka Gateway. Accompanied by Kristang songs, we sense the sadness and loss experienced by them as their culture slowly dies. — Aug 2021 Video & Art by Stanley Chin Story & Research by Martin Theseira Stanley Chin is an Architecture Design graduate who works presently as a graphic designer. He is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Martin Theseira is a Kristang fisherman, guide, and activist of the Portuguese Community of Melaka, Malaysia. He is also the chair of Save the Portuguese Community Action Committee. Since 1974, when he was only 18, Martin has been vocal in protesting against land reclamation projects of Melaka that are threatening his Kristang heritage and its 500-year-old history.