Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

A POR TR AIT OF SOUTH AFRIC A  25

gatherer inhabitants of the Cape were
joined, about 1,000 years ago, by
migrating Bantu-speakers from the
north. In the 17th century, European
settlers appeared – first the Dutch,
then the British and French – with their
slaves from Indonesia, Madagascar,
and India. Later followed inden tured
labourers from India. Settlers and
slaves alike brought with them their
culinary traditions, and if there is a
national cuisine it is Cape Malay:
mild lamb and fish curries sweetened
with spiced fruit. Although seafood is
relished, South Africans are really a meat-
loving nation. The outdoor braai (barbe-
cue) is popular all around the globe, but
no one does it quite like South Africans,
with fiercely guarded secret recipes, and Feast day preparations in a Cape Town mosque
competitions for the best boerewors (a
type of sausage) and potjiekos (a tasty groups. Islam is strongly represented in
stew prepared in a three-legged cast the Western Cape, while Buddhists
iron pot). and Hindus are mainly found
Religion crosses many of the cultural in Durban. Traditional African
and social divides, and the post- religion is still practised in
apartheid constitution protects the rural areas, where the
freedom of religion. Every- community is the most
one is free to follow important part of some-
whatever faith they want one’s life. Ancestor-worship
to, or not to follow one at Penny whistler is part of every major
all. The African independent event, such as weddings, births
churches have a large following, while and deaths, and in some ethnic African
the Dutch Reformed, Roman Catholic, cultures, such as the Zulu, there are
Presbyterian, and Anglican churches spiritual leaders or sangomas who are
attract worship pers from all pop ulation responsible for healing and “divining”.

Culture and Sport
An awareness of African identity
is the essence of cultural life,
and music – always central to
traditional ceremonies and cele-
bra tions – leads the way. Regular
church choir festivals attest to
the popularity of gospel and
choral harmony. The distinctive
sound of Zulu mbube (un-
accompanied choral singing)
has become one of South
African choir performing gospel and harmonies Africa’s best-known exports.

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