Bo-Kaap

Last updated
Bo-Kaap
Boe-Kaap.jpg
Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town with its distinctive pastel coloured houses in the foreground, with the city centre to the left and Table Mountain in the background
OpenStreetMap Cape Town small.svg
Red pog.svg
Bo-Kaap
South Africa Western Cape location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bo-Kaap
South Africa adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bo-Kaap
Coordinates: 33°55′15″S18°24′55″E / 33.92083°S 18.41528°E / -33.92083; 18.41528
Country South Africa
Province Western Cape
Municipality City of Cape Town
Established1760
Area
[1]
  Total
0.95 km2 (0.37 sq mi)
Population
 (2011) [1]
  Total
3,203
  Density3,400/km2 (8,700/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
   Coloured 66.0%
   Black African 9.0%
   White 4.3%
   Indian/Asian 3.4%
  Other17.3%
First languages (2011)
[1]
   English 64.0%
   Afrikaans 30.3%
  Other5.7%
Time zone UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
8001
Area code +27 (0)21

The Bo-Kaap (lit. "above the Cape" in Afrikaans) is an area of Cape Town, South Africa formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is a former racially segregated area, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre and is a historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. The Nurul Islam Mosque, established in 1844, is located in the area.

Contents

Bo-Kaap is known for its brightly coloured homes and cobblestoned streets. The area is traditionally a multicultural neighbourhood, and 56.9% of its population identify as Muslim. [2] According to the South African Heritage Resources Agency, the area contains the largest concentration of pre-1850 architecture in South Africa, and is the oldest surviving residential neighborhood in Cape Town. [3]

History

In 1760 Jan de Waal bought a block of land at the foot of Signal Hill, [4] between Dorp and Wale Streets. A year later he obtained an adjacent parcel, extending his holding to Rose/Chiappini/Shortmarket Street. Starting in 1763, de Waal built several small “huurhuisjes” (rental houses) on this land, which he leased to his slaves. The first three are at 71 Wale Street (now the Bokaap Museum), above Buitengracht Street, and 42 Leeuwen Street respectively.

Skilled Muslim labourers called Mardijkers moved to the Cape from Southeast Asia and lived in the Bo-Kaap. [5] Because the aboriginal tribes in the Cape Colony area resisted the Dutch, slaves were initially imported from Malaysia, Indonesia and different parts of Africa, hence the name “Malay”. Most of the new residents were Muslim, and several mosques were built in the area. The first one was Auwal Mosque, in Dorp Street in 1794. [6] Between 1790 and 1825 more housing in both the Cape Dutch and Cape Georgian styles was built for the expanding population of tradesmen, craftsmen, and artisans. In 1804 the Tana Baru Cemetery was established to serve the Muslim families.

More Muslims continued to move into the area, including a wave of political exiles from Java and Ceylon circa 1820. [7] After the emancipation in 1834 and the arrival of liberated slaves, developers constructed numerous rows of narrow, deep huurhuisjes. [6]

The brightly coloured facades are attributed[ according to whom? ] to an expression of freedom by the new homeowners, as all the houses were painted white while on lease, [4] [ clarification needed ] although it appears that the tradition of brightly coloured homes began in the late 20th century, rather than earlier. [5]

Although the area has always been a centre of Cape Malay culture, until the implementation of the Apartheid Group Areas Act, it also had residents of other ethnicities. These included Indians, non-Muslim Coloureds, Filipinos, Africans, Portuguese and Italians at different times. [5] Historically, the Bo-Kaap was larger than its current extent. [5]

During Apartheid, the area was not bulldozed, unlike nearby District Six, however non-Malay residents were forcibly removed in accordance with the Group Areas Act, in an effort by a sympathetic apartheid government official (I. D. du Plessis) to preserve the Malay character of the area. [5]

Preservation of the area began in 1943 when 15 houses were restored by a group of prominent citizens, with the support of the Historical Monuments Commission. In 1966 a portion of the area was designated as a National Monument. From 1971 the City Council began restoring houses and streetscapes, with 48 units completed by 1975. [7]

Gentrification

As a result of Cape Town's economic development and expansion, and after the demise of forced racial segregation under apartheid, property in the Bo-Kaap has become very sought after, not only for its location but also for its picturesque cobble-streets and unique architecture. [8] Increasingly, this close-knit community is "facing a slow dissolution of its distinctive character as wealthy outsiders move into the suburb to snap up homes in the City Bowl at cut-rate prices". [9] Inter-community conflict has also arisen as some residents object to the sale of buildings and the resultant eviction of long-term residents.

National Heritage status

In May 2019, 19 sites in the Bo-Kaap area were declared National Heritage sites by the South African Minister of Arts and Culture. [3] The announcement followed the City of Cape Town council's March 2019 approving of the inclusion of the Bo-Kaap area in a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone (HPOZ), which will incorporate around 600 privately owned homes. The city received over 2,000 letters from members of the public, a strong majority of which were in support of the new Heritage Zone. The HPOZ stretches to the Table Mountain National Park, and includes the northern verges to the northwest of Strand Street as well as Buitengracht Street, between the intersections with Carisbrook Street and Strand Street. [10]

The 19 sites became official National Heritage sites through a declaration by the South African Heritage Resources Agency, under the National Heritage Resources Act (No 25 of 1999). [3] Objectives of the Heritage Zone include conserving the Bo-Kaap heritage by encouraging owners to retain and rehabilitate the existing residential buildings; ensuring new developments in the area complement existing landscape; and promoting social and cultural traditions in the area. [10]

Bo-Kaap pano.jpg
Colourful buildings line Wale Street at Rose Street

Bo-Kaap Museum

entrance to the Bo-Kaap Museum Bo-Kaap Museum.JPG
entrance to the Bo-Kaap Museum

The museum, whose building dates back to the 1760s, is the oldest house in the area still in its original form. It highlights the cultural contribution made by early Muslim settlers, many of whom were skilled tailors, carpenters, shoe makers and builders. It contains 19th century furnishings which include a fine Cape drop-leaf dining table, Cape Regency-style chairs and a bridal chamber decorated to match the bride's dress.

The museum is distinguishable by its voorstoep, a type of front terrace with a bench at each end emphasizing the polarizing aspect of Cape Muslim culture. The museum exhibits the lifestyle of a prosperous 19th-century Cape Muslim family along with black-and-white photographs of daily life in the area. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coloureds</span> Multiracial ethnic group of Southern Africa

Coloureds are multiracial people in South Africa, Namibia and to a less extent, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Their ancestry descends from the interracial marriages/interracial unions mainly between the European and the African with an addition of Asian in the mix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Malays</span> Ethnic group in South Africa

Cape Malays also known as Cape Muslims or Malays, are a Muslim community or ethnic group in South Africa. They are the descendants of enslaved and free Muslims from different parts of the world, specifically Indonesia and other Asian countries, who lived at the Cape during Dutch and British rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">District Six</span> Former area of Cape Town, South Africa

District Six is a former inner-city residential area in Cape Town, South Africa. In 1966, the apartheid government announced that the area would be razed and rebuilt as a "whites only" neighbourhood under the Group Areas Act. Over the course of a decade, over 60,000 of its inhabitants were forcibly removed and in 1970 the area was renamed Zonnebloem, a name that makes reference to an 18th century colonial farm. At the time of the proclamation, 56% of the district’s property was White-owned, 26% Coloured-owned and 18% Indian-owned. Most of the residents were Cape Coloureds and they were resettled in the Cape Flats. The vision of a new white neighbourhood was not realised and the land has mostly remained barren and unoccupied. The original area of District Six is now partly divided between the suburbs of Walmer Estate, Zonnebloem, and Lower Vrede, while the rest is generally undeveloped land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaapse Klopse</span> Annual festival in Cape Town, South Africa

The Kaapse Klopse, officially named the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, is a traditionally Cape coloured minstrel festival that takes place annually on 2 January in Cape Town, South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pageview, Johannesburg</span> Place in Gauteng, South Africa

Pageview is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region F of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. Populated by non-whites, predominantly Indians, until the 1970s, it was one of two adjacent suburbs commonly known as Fietas.

Salt River is a suburb of Cape Town, located near Table Bay, to the east of Cape Town's central business district. Salt River is served by a railway station of the same name, and has the postcode 7925. It is noted for its association with the clothing and textiles industry. The name Salt River is a translation of the Dutch "Soutrivier".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manenberg</span> Suburb of Cape Town, in Western Cape, South Africa

Manenberg is a township of Cape Town, South Africa, that was created by the apartheid government for low-income Coloured families in the Cape Flats in 1966 as a result of the forced removal campaign by the National Party. It has an estimated population of 52,000 residents. The area consists of rows of semi-detached houses and project-like flats, known as "korre". The township is located about 20 km away from the city centre of Cape Town. It is separated from neighbouring Nyanga and Gugulethu townships by a railway line and Nyanga Junction to the east and from Hanover Park by the Sand Industria industrial park to the west and Heideveld to the north. The northern part of Manenberg, is known as Sherwood Park, here, in the past live many wealthy people of both Christian and Muslims descent, sadly all this changed. The middle and lower class live in Manenberg. Poverty, unemployment, lack of education and motivation,coupled with drug abuse/addiction, gang activities, social injustice and racial profiling are some of the major issues people in Manenberg suffer under.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I. D. du Plessis</span>

Izak David du Plessis, who published under the name I. D. du Plessis, was an Afrikaans-language writer. A successful writer in many genres, he is included among the Dertigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gardens, Cape Town</span> Inner-city suburb of Cape Town in Western Cape, South Africa

Gardens is an affluent inner-city suburb of Cape Town located just to the south of the city centre located in the higher elevations of the "City Bowl" and directly beneath Table Mountain and Lion's Head. It is home to several national museums such as Iziko South African National Gallery and the Iziko South African Museum. The University of Cape Town also houses its Fine Arts department in the suburb, at Michaelis School of Fine Art. Company's Garden, South Africa's oldest garden, a public park and heritage site is a focal point of the suburb. The area is also home to the oldest synagogue in Southern Africa, the Old Shul and its successor, the Gardens Shul, "The Mother Synagogue of South Africa."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenmarket Square</span> Historical square in old Cape Town, South Africa

Greenmarket Square is a historical square in the centre of old Cape Town, South Africa. The square was built in 1696, when a burgher watch house was erected. Many historic buildings surround the square, including the Old Town House, which now houses the Michaelis Collection of art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auwal Mosque</span> Oldest mosque South Africa

The Auwal Mosque, alternatively spelled Awwal, Owal or Owwal, is a mosque in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood of Cape Town, South Africa, recognised as the first mosque established in the country. It was constructed in 1794 during the first British occupation of the Cape on land belonging to Coridon van Ceylon, a Vryezwarten. Coridon's daughter, Saartjie van de Kaap, inherited the property that was being used as a warehouse, and donated it for the use as South Africa's first mosque. The mosque was constructed in 1794 with renovations done in 1907 and extensive renovations done in 1936. It is the first mosque to observe public prayers and is where Cape Muslim traditions and the Arabic-Afrikaans language were first taught. It remains a symbol for Muslims of the recognition of Islam and the freedom of slaves to worship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tana Baru Cemetery</span>

The Tana Baru Cemetery is a Muslim cemetery where some of the earliest and respected Muslim settlers of South Africa were buried. The cemetery is located in Bo-kaap, Cape Town.

Iziko Museums of South Africa, formerly Southern Flagship Institution (SFI) and then Iziko Museums of Cape Town, is an organisation governing national museums in greater Cape Town, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2024 there are 11 museums in the group.

Johaar Mosaval was a South African ballet dancer who rose to prominence as a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet. He was among the first "persons of color" to perform major roles with an internationally known ballet company during the 1960s.

Magdalena Sauer was the first woman qualified to practice as an architect in South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faldela Williams</span> South African cook and cookbook writer (1952–2014)

Faldela Williams was a South African cook and cookbook writer whose books inspired generations of cooks after her to preserve the culinary heritage of South Africa's Cape Malay people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Victoria Mosque</span> Mosque in Cape Town, South Africa

The Jamia mosque or Queen Victoria mosque is situated at the corner of Chiappini and Castle street, Cape Town. It is considered to be the first and oldest mosque in Cape Town, and the largest in the Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Cape Town</span> List of links to articles about Cape Town on Wikipedia

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Cape Town:

Kaaps, also known as Afrikaaps, is a West Germanic African language that evolved in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Its status as a sister language of Afrikaans or a dialect of Afrikaans is unclear. Since the early 2020s there has been a significant increase in the number of works of literature published in Kaaps. Most works in Kaaps come from authors located in the Cape Flats area of Cape Town, South Africa where it is most commonly spoken. Although Kaaps is considered a growing phenomenon, it is more specifically a colloquial dialect of Afrikaans. All other distinct colloquial variations of Afrikaans, including Kaaps, are organically connected to Standard Afrikaans as a widely spoken unitary variety and interact with it.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Sub Place Schotsche Kloof". Census 2011.
  2. Kotze, Nico (2013). "A community in trouble?". Urbani Izziv. 24 (2): 124–132. doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2013-24-02-004 . JSTOR   24920888.
  3. 1 2 3 Ishmail, S (2019-05-02). "Recognition for Bo-Kaap as 19 sites to be declared National Heritage Sites". IOL. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  4. 1 2 "Getting to know the Bo-Kaap". Cape Town Tourism. Cape Town Tourism. Archived from the original on 2018-05-30. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Davis, Rebecca. "Bo-Kaap's complicated history and its many myths". ewn.co.za.
  6. 1 2 "Cape Town History: A Tourisrt Guide". Cape Town History. Archived from the original on 2018-06-16. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  7. 1 2 Townsend, Lesley (2015-10-15). "History and Style of the Bo-Kaap". The Heritage Portal. The Heritage Portal. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  8. Kardas-Nelson, Mara (October 19, 2012). "The bar that caused all the trouble in historic Bo-Kaap". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  9. "Bo-Kaap gentrification sees residents evicted", Voice of the Cape Archived July 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  10. 1 2 Evans, J and Somdyala, K (2019-05-01). "Arts & Culture minister declares 19 areas as heritage sites in Bo-Kaap". News24. Retrieved 2019-05-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. Planet, Lonely. "Bo-Kaap Museum in Cape Town, South Africa". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2017-09-15.