The paper relies on a series of interviews – each time approximately 35 to 45 minutes though a few interviews
with breaks stretched to an hour plus – with seven (7) professional/ Peranakan experts on old Peranakan culture
and ways and interviewing them as well as the personal observations of the author himself as a Peranakan. The
key task in interviewing is to understand the meaning of what the interviewees say or express (Kvale, 1996).
Interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind a respondent’s experiences and interpretations.
Using open or probing questions, the interviewer can pursue in-depth information around the topic.