{{Infobox settlement | image_skyline = File:Portuguese Settlement.JPG | image_caption = Portuguese Settlement (Saint John's Village) | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name =  Malaysia | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name1 =  Malacca | subdivision_name2 = [[Central Malacca District|Central Malacca] | established_title = Established | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 75050 | settlement_type = Malaysia Town in Malaysia | translit_lang1 = Other | translit_lang1_info1 = Portuguese VillageThe Portuguese Settlement (Saint John's Village; Portuguese: Aldeia de São João; Template:Lang-English) is an area of Ujong Pasir in Central Malacca District, Malacca, Malaysia, which serves as a home for the Cristang people. The Cristang people are a Malaysian ethnic group with mixed Portuguese and [[Asian people heritage, originating from the time of the Portuguese rule in Malacca (16th to 17th century).

In 1933, 11 hectares of land at Malacca were purchased with the purpose of creating a haven for the scattered Cristang people. The swampy land was cleared and 10 wooden houses with earth floors and roofs were built. Saint John's village, as that simple fishing village was originally known, soon attracted additional Cristang from other areas of Malacca, and grew to become one of Malacca's main tourist attractions, improving the standard of living of its villagers.

Like many other Portuguese-speaking communities around the world, the Portuguese Settlement holds a yearly "June festival" that opens with Festa de São João ("Feast of Saint John", June 23) and closes with Festa de São Pedro ("Feast of Saint Peter", the fishermen's patron saint, June 29). This festival is attended by about 100,000 visitors from Malaysia and abroad. At the festival one can hear Cristang folk songs and watch dancers in colourful costumes perform to the rhythm of branyu music. An important event in the festival is the blessing of the local fishermen's boats, specially decorated for the occasion, to assure good catch.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Ivy Tan (June 2007). "Malaccan MCA leaders at the Portuguese Settlement" (PDF). The Guardian. Malaysian Chinese Association. 3: 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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