A Peranakan wedding basket, commonly called a Bakul Siah (Bakul Sia), is traditionally used during Peranakan wedding ceremonies to carry gifts, ceremonial items, jewelry, cakes, and offerings exchanged between the bride’s and groom’s families. These beautifully crafted red-and-black lacquered bamboo baskets are often treasured heirlooms rather than disposable ceremonial objects.

After the wedding, many families use or display the Bakul Siah in a variety of ways such as for Decorative Heritage Display, Storage for Special Occasion Items, and wedding heirlooms for future Generations. For many Peranakan families in Singapore and Malaysia it holds symbolic significance as a family heirloom that connects generations and preserves Peranakan cultural identity.

The Bakul Siah reflects the importance of family ties, social status, and cultural traditions in Medan during Tjong A Fie’s time through having these wedding baskets which serves as wedding heirlooms. It also shows how the Peranakan Chinese community preserved its heritage while adapting to the city’s multicultural society. However modern weddings are often simpler and less traditional, with gifts transported in decorative boxes, trays, or packaging that are more convenient and readily available.