Page 135 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

THE CIT Y BOWL  133

Malay Culture in Cape Town

The original Malays were brought to the Cape from 1658 onwards by the Dutch East
India Company. Most of them were Muslims from Sri Lanka, the Indonesian islands
and India. A large proportion of them were slaves, while others were political exiles of
considerable stature. After the abolition of slavery in the early 1830s, the Cape Malays
(or Cape Muslims as they now prefer to be called) settled on the slope of Signal Hill in
an area called Bo-Kaap (“above Cape Town”) to be near the mosques that had been built
there (Auwal Mosque dates from 1794). The Malays had a significant influence on the
Afri kaans tongue, and many of their culinary traditions (see pp394–5) were absorbed
by other cultures. Today, the Muslim community is very much a part of Cape Town: the
muezzins’ haunting calls, ring ing out from minarets to summon the faithful, are an
integral part of the city.
Streets of the Bo-Kaap
Just above modern Cape Town, and
within easy walking distance of the
city centre, lies the traditional home
of the Cape Muslims. Here, narrow-
fronted houses in bright colours
open onto the streets.

Houses were painted in
bright colours from the
1990s after the end of
apartheid.

Muslim tradition
dictates that formal
attire be worn on
festive occasions. The fez, of Turkish origin, is still worn
This includes the occasionally, but knitted or cloth caps
traditional fez for are more common nowadays.
men, while women
don the characteristic
chador (full-length
veil or shawl).

The mosque in Longmarket Street,
like many of the Bo-Kaap’s mosques,
Signal Hill is the traditional home of the Cape Muslim stands wedged in-between the homes
community. Many of the quaint Bo-Kaap cottages have of residents. Religion is a fundamental
been replaced by modern apartment blocks higher up. part of every devout Muslim’s life.

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