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An Article From Vicinity Perak - The Formidable Nonyas Of Kinta - Volume 2 Issue 13, November 2006
As the title itself suggests, this article by Dr. Ho Tak Ming is about Nonya women, particularly Man Vun Cheong, wife of Eu Kong, a leading tin miner and revenue farmer in Gopeng.
The wives of the early Chinese of Malacca, the Babas or Peranakan were known as Nonyas or Nyonyas, a Malay honorific denoting women of prominent social standing.
According to the article, Man Vun Cheong was an English-speaking, remarkable lady and had connections with some prominent Baba families in Malaya. Through her, Eu Kong established close rapport with the Assistant Magistrate, Gopeng and secured the monopoly of the General Farm in Gopeng and became its leading miner. Eu Kong died in the year 1890 at the early age of 38, apparently murdered by a jealous husband. Mrs. Eu Kong in the meantime, was the towkay of 250 coolies and a shrewd businesswoman. Eu Kong's eldest son, Eu Ting Sen, then inherited the businessesses of his father.
Besides Nonya Eu Kong, this article also talks about Nonya Chin Kin, Ipoh’s first lady entrepreneur and Nonya Ah Fat, principal owners of Kampar.
The picture on the left shows a number of Chinese men in front of Eu Tong Sen’s office in Gopeng and the second picture from left shows the overall view of Eu Kong Street, Gopeng. The first picture from right shows the first erected buildings at Eu Kong Street, Gopeng, and the second picture from right shows the uniqueness of the architecture of the buildings in the same street.