There's no whisky in a Malaysian toddy. That's because toddy in Malaysia refers to the kombucha-like coconut drink. Toddy is sugary, sour and a bit funky. But like so many of Malaysia's foods, the sweet taste obscures a very dark origin.

In the 19th Century, the British East India Company continued its campaign to control the Malay peninsular. Powering this new empire, however, required a substantial labour force. But in a post-slavery world, Britain would need a different approach to securing cheap workers.

We hear from Sushil Nair, owner of Nachi Toddy (@nachitoddy) on the importance of toddy to the Indian and Sri Lankan communities. He talks us through toddy brewing techniques, starting a toddy business and the anti-toddy attitudes from within his own community.

Resources and References

A History of Malaysia (2016), Barbara Watson Andaya, Leonard Y. Andaya

The Plantation as Subject? Centring the Plantation within Malayan Anti-Colonial Histories (28 Nov 2024), London School of Economics, Sahil Bhagat

Krishnan, P., & Raman, J.J. (2018). Toddy Business among the Indian Labour in Colonial Malaya, 1900-1957. International journal of humanities and social science, 8.

Parameswari, K. (2014). Anti-toddy movement in Malaya, 1900-1957.

Krishnan, D. P. ., Raman, D. J. H. J. ., & Darkasi , S. . (2020). Between Life and Death: Suicide amongst the Indian Labour in Colonial Malaya, 1900-1941. International Journal of Social Science and Economics Invention, 6(09), 351 TO 355. https://doi.org/10.23958/ijssei/vol06-i09/235

Krishnan, P., Raman, J.J., Krishnan, R. (2020). A Study on the History of Estate Tamil Schools in Malaya, MALAYSIA dari segi SEJARAH

Nachi Toddy - Portuguese Settlement, Medan Selera, Portuguese Settlement, Melaka, 75050 Malacca, Malaysia

Credits

Hosted by Dr Noby Leong and Philip Gibson

Produced by Dr Noby Leong and Philip Gibson

Sound Design by Jack Barr

Satay? Okay! is produced by Kopi Productions Limited