The Bo-Kaap

The Bo-Kaap is is an historic and culturally interesting area of Cape Town. A traditional residential area of Cape Town's Muslim community, the suburb is situated on the slopes of Signal Hill. You will find cobbled streets, brightly coloured houses from the nineteenth century, Muslim shrines ("kramats") and mosques.

Most of the residents are descended from slaves brought here by the Dutch in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They came from Africa, India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, and elsewhere in Asia. They are known as "Cape Malays", even though this term is incorrect. Most of them are not descended from Malaysians.

The early Muslim slaves in Cape Town included famous scholars and religious leaders. Many others were skilled craftsmen and artisans. They have played a major role in the language and culture of Cape Town and South Africa.

Afrikaans, a language spoken by descendants of the Dutch and most "mixed race" people in South Africa, was originally developed by slaves. These people came from all over the world, and needed a language to speak amongst themselves and with their Dutch masters. Muslim scholars produced the first written texts in Afrikaans.

The Muslim community has also had a large influence on the cooking of South Africa. Cape Malay cuisine is delicious. It usually consists of a combination of fruit, spices, vegetables and meat. You can visit a restaurant in the Bo-Kaap where food is served in the traditional way: sitting on the floor and eating with your hands.

The Bo-Kaap is within easy walking distance of Eurocentres, and is just one of several interesting areas to explore close to the school.

Links on the Bo Kaap and "Cape Malays"

Bo-Kaap Museum A nice place to visit while you are in Cape Town, it will give you insight into the history and culture of the area.

Kramats A site on some holy and historic Muslim shrines that are situated around Cape Town.