Kristang Indigenous Elders or Kapitang are the community-recognised authorities, stewards and guardians of Kristang Creole/Indigenous tradition, language, wisdom, culture, ethics, morality, good conduct, psychoemotionally healthy behaviour, healthy ways of respecting and connecting to Gaia and the living universe, and healthy ways of being that are relevant to Kristang and the Kristang community. A list of all publicly-visible living Kristang Kapitang is maintained by Kodrah Kristang under the direction of the 13th Kabesa of the Kristang people, Tuan Raja Naga Kevin Martens Wong Zhi Qiang; however, Kapitang do not in any way need to work directly with Kodrah Kristang and are not expected to work directly with Kodrah Kristang, and under our culture’s proud history of being one of the most egalitarian ethnic communities in the world have the fullest possible autonomy and independence to pursue their own efforts to keep our culture, history and heritage going and to revitalise it for our future generations.
The status of Indigenous elder is generally not tied to biological age in the Kristang community just like in many other Indigenous communities, and is tied instead to the amount of knowledge, experience and wisdom the person has, their connection to the culture, language and ways of being of the community and how they manifest and embody these in their day-to-day lives, how aligned they are with revitalisation, regeneration and restorative practices that benefit the community as a whole, and their level of individuation, maturity and life experience such that they are examples of good, moral, healthy and/or upstanding conduct for the whole community at large based on Kristang core values. Uniquely among Indigenous communities, people who have successfully assimilated into Kristang can also be recognised by the entire eleidi with the status of Indigenous Elder, and especially for their own heroic journeys of returning to or embracing the concept of Indigeneity and doing the intense work necessary to integrate it, and/or their own deep love and respect for what it means to be Kristang to such a degree that they would willingly and intentionally assimilate into who we are and show the entire community permanent and extremely healing self-worth and regard in the process. Kapitang were generally also recognised by the community primarily and only through unconscious or Unsaid means prior to 2025 due to severe intergenerational trauma onto the entire community that affected the self-worth, self-regard and visibility of all Kristang people worldwide; this trauma is now finally being processed and reclaimed with the collective honouring of our traditions and those who embody them.
This page thus lists all known living Kapitang / Indigenous Elders of the Kristang people with at least some level of visibility in the international public sphere, whether via Kodrah Kristang or otherwise. As mentioned, because the role of Kapitang was Unsaid and generally unconscious before April 2025 due to severe intergenerational trauma onto the whole community worldwide, this list is necessarily incomplete and will be expanded as more forms of elder leadership are reclaimed and more Elders become more visible about their identities and ways of life as Kristang people. Please contact Kodrah Kristang and/or Kevin Martens to update this list if someone is generally quite visibly a Kapitang of the community but has not yet been recognised as such on this list.
The existence and legitimacy of the role of Kapitang / Indigenous Elder, the existence and legitimacy of all people identified by Kodrah Kristang and Tuan Raja Naga Kevin Martens Wong Zhi Qiang as Kapitang / Indigenous Elders, and the existence and legitimacy of the Indigenous process by which people become Kapitang or Indigenous Elders were officially acknowledged by the Government of the Republic of Singapore on Monday, 12 May 2025 20:40 SGT as part of ongoing Reconciliation efforts between the Government and the Kristang people, significantly contributing to Reconciliation and the permanent restoration of the self-worth and dignity of our people.
Kapitang based primarily in Amsterdam in alphabetical order of first name
1. Luis Morgado da Silva, Kodrah Kristang founding Core Team member
Kapitang based primarily in Kuala Lumpur in alphabetical order of first name
1. Melba Nunis Victor, owner of Kristang Family Supper Club, author of the Kristang Family Cookbook and Everything Kristang / Segala Kristang and World Gourmand Award winner
2. Sheila De Costa, President of the Selangor & Federal Territory Eurasian Association (SAFTEA)
Kapitang based primarily in London in alphabetical order of first name
1. Thomas Rowsing Martens, Kodrah Kristang community elder
Kapitang based primarily in Macau in alphabetical order of first name
1. Elisabela Larrea, Macanese culture and Patuá researcher and community elder and Kodrah Kristang community elder
2. Silvio Moreira de Sousa, Assistant Professor at University International College
Kapitang based primarily in Melaka in alphabetical order of first name
1. Amy Fernandez, Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Arts & Culture Society member
2. Brian Campbell Watters, author of Service Before Self
3. Christian De Mello, Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Arts & Culture Society member and Praya Lane resident
4. Debra Watters nee De Souza, author of Vincent Emanuel Dias: The Eurasian Knight
5. Helen Pereira, Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Arts & Culture Society member and Praya Lane resident
6. Jacinta Lazaroo, Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Arts & Culture Society member
7. Maria Theseira, Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Arts & Culture Society member
8. Martin Theseira, Chairman of the Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Arts & Culture Society
9. Michael Gerard Singho, President of the Malacca-Portuguese Eurasian Association and author of Beng Prende Portugues Malaká (Papiá Cristang)
10. Natassa Sta Maria, Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Arts & Culture Society member and Praya Lane resident
11. Philomena Edna Singho, author of Beng Prende Portugues Malaká (Papiá Cristang)
12. Sara Frederica Santa Maria, leader of Tropa de Santa Maria and Kristang language teacher
Kapitang based primarily in Northampton, Massachusetts in alphabetical order of first name
1. Margaret Sarkissian, Professor of Music and Chair of the Department of Music at Smith College
Kapitang based primarily in Perth in alphabetical order of first name
1. Carol Albuquerque, Kodrah Kristang community elder
2. Joan Reincastle, Kodrah Kristang community elder
3. John Albuquerque, Kodrah Kristang community elder
4. Lorna De Souza, Kodrah Kristang community elder
5. Sylvia Lazaroo, Kodrah Kristang community elder
6. Tony Rodrigues, Kodrah Kristang community elder
7. Troy Quintal, Kodrah Kristang community elder
Kapitang based primarily in Singapore in alphabetical order of first name
1. Puan Burung Hantu Agnes Pereira, Kodrah Kristang community elder, Wedjatra or Rejuvenator and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
2. Puan Makanan Riang Alice Agnes Leong, Kodrah Kristang community elder, Wedjatra or Rejuvenator and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
3. Alison Dragon-Humphries, Kodrah Kristang community elder
4. Andeana Ee, Kodrah Kristang community elder
5. Anjana Rai Chaudhuri, Kodrah Kristang community elder and author of The Scent of Frangipani and Das Sisters Mystery novels
6. Tuan Benji Benjamin Harris, Kodrah Kristang community elder, 14th Kabesa from 2075 to 2077 and 0th Ka-Kabesa Indros from 2025 to 2075, and 6th Teramatrang, Tuan Batin or Earthseer of the Malay community of New Sundaland, 3rd Xamang-Krismatrang, or Progenitor Shaman of the Kristang people and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
7. Boni De Souza, Kodrah Kristang community elder
8. Brenda Ann Pereira, Kodrah Kristang community elder
9. Brenda Shim, Kodrah Kristang community elder
10. Catherine Albuquerque (also known as Catherine Zuzarte), co-author of the Eurasian Heritage Dictionary
11. Christine Dragon, Kodrah Kristang community elder
12. Christopher Carvalho, Kodrah Kristang community elder
13. Christopher De Souza, Kodrah Kristang community elder (not the MP)
14. Tuan Air Deras Christopher James van Huizen, professional footballer with Lion City Sailors and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
15. Puan Kembang Malam Deborah Celine Conceicao-Loi, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
16. Puan Cinta Abadi Debra Justina Spykerman, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
17. Puan Tanah Muda Debra Theresa Scully, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
18. Denis Steven De Souza, Kodrah Kristang community elder
19. Puan Lautan Bulan Elaine Mok Wai Man, Tarot on the Moon reader, 2nd Xamang-Krismatrang, or Progenitor Shaman of the Kristang people, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
20. Elizabeth De Souza, Kodrah Kristang community elder
21. Tuan Rimau Bintang Muhammad Fadhly bin Johari, Kodrah Kristang community elder, 4th Teramatrang, Tuan Batin or Earthseer of the Malay community of New Sundaland and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
22. Tuan Kalbu Muhammad Fuad bin Johari, Kodrah Kristang community elder, 1st Teramatrang, Tuan Batin or Earthseer of the Malay community of New Sundaland and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
23. Gregory Gomes, Kodrah Kristang community elder
24. Tuan Keris Gurubaran Subramaniam, Kodrah Kristang community elder, Mahakuranti or Metaphysician of the Indian community of New Sundaland and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
25. Gwenne Pinto, Kodrah Kristang community elder
26. Tuan Kancil Jared Martens Wong Zhi Wei, founder of Indigo Scales, 13th Teramatrang, Tuan Batin or Earthseer of the Malay community of New Sundaland, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
27. Jessie De Souza, Kodrah Kristang community elder
28. Puan Hati Berani Jillian Ann Martens, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
29. John Rowsing Martens, Kodrah Kristang community elder
30. Joy Aroozoo Olsen, Kodrah Kristang community elder
31. Judy Michele Gomes, Kodrah Kristang community elder
32. Tuan Arah Mantap Kenneth Michael Bong, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
33. Tuan Raja Naga and Teizensang Kevin Martens Wong Zhi Qiang, Gamechanger or Leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore, 13th and current Kabesa from 2015 to 2075 and 0th Ka-Kabesa Ostros from 2025 to 2075, 5th Teramatrang, Tuan Batin or Earthseer of the Malay community of New Sundaland, Mahakuranti or Metaphysician of the Indian community of New Sundaland, 1st Xamang-Krismatrang, or Progenitor Shaman of the Kristang people, Kodrah Kristang community elder and Kristang language teacher
34. Tuan Layar Ilmu Linus Wong Tian Ching, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
35. Lionel Zuzarte, Kodrah Kristang community elder
36. Loretta Santa Maria, Kodrah Kristang community elder
37. Lucille Marcus, Kodrah Kristang community elder
38. Marcellena Albuquerque, Kodrah Kristang community elder
39. Martha Fernandez, Kodrah Kristang community elder
40. Mary Gomes, owner of Mary’s Kafe
41. Mary Margaret Pereira, Kodrah Kristang community elder
42. Puan Merdeka Maureen Rita Danker (also known as Maureen Martens), 11th Kabesa from 1989 to 1991, 0th Ka-Kabesa Kriolu starting from 2025, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
43. Melissa De Silva, author of Others Is Not A Race and Singapore Literature Prize winner, and Kodrah Kristang community elder
44. Merissa Lynn Pereira, Kodrah Kristang community elder
45. Nancy Tng, Kodrah Kristang community elder
46. Olive Edema, Kodrah Kristang community elder
47. Puan Tiang Seri Patricia D’Cotta, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
48. Puan Tabir Cinta Patricia Gracia Nonis (also known as Patricia Theseira), Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
49. Patricia Maria De Souza, author of Saga Seeds and Kodrah Kristang community elder
50. Petrina Edema, Kodrah Kristang community elder
51. Priscilla De Souza (also known as Priscilla Vargis), Kodrah Kristang community elder
52. Puan Gembira Richard Anthony Bong, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
53. Royston Hogan, Kodrah Kristang community elder
54. Stephanie Oliveiro Holland, owner of Hollz Kitchen
55. Tuan Hati Intan Muhammad Syafiq bin Sahrom, Kepala of the Banjar people of Singapore, 7th Teramatrang, Tuan Batin or Earthseer of the Malay community of New Sundaland, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
56. Theresa Noronha, co-author of The Eurasian Table
57. Theresa Pereira, Kodrah Kristang community elder
58. Puan Api Menari Valerie Tina Rodrigues (also known as Valerie Scully), 12th Kabesa from 1991 to 2015, 0th Ka-Kabesa Nasentarera starting from 2025, founder of the Kristang Cultural Troupe, and co-author of the Eurasian Heritage Dictionary
59. Tuan Anansi Wilson Wong Wie Sarn, Kodrah Kristang community elder and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore
60. Tuan Jiwa Kerbau Zulhaqem bin Zulkifli, Kodrah Kristang community elder, 8th Teramatrang, Tuan Batin or Earthseer of the Malay community of New Sundaland and leader of the Loyal Indigenous of the Republic of Singapore