Bo-Kaap district
A photo taken of the Bo-Kaap district snapped from the bus because we never had the time to walk there.
Situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre, Bo-Kaap is one of the oldest residential areas in Cape town, dating back to the 18th century. The residents of Bo-Kaap are descendants of slaves that were imported by the Dutch from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and various African countries during the 16th and 17th centuries, and are known collectively as “Cape Malays”, even though not all of them were of Malaysian descent.
Bo-Kaap is largely a Muslim community - the people of the Bo-Kaap call themselves Cape Muslims. As part of their religion, they take part in the Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. At the end of this holy month, a three day celebration named Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) takes place. It is generally customary to dress up in bright colours, and the painting of their houses in bright colours was an extension of this tradition.
But in doing so they have created a ‘sought after’ location and a number of wealthy outsiders have moved in and snapped up homes. It is often said that the different coloured houses have now become no more than a tourist attraction.
Bo-Kaap district
A photo taken of the Bo-Kaap district snapped from the bus because we never had the time to walk there.
Situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre, Bo-Kaap is one of the oldest residential areas in Cape town, dating back to the 18th century. The residents of Bo-Kaap are descendants of slaves that were imported by the Dutch from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and various African countries during the 16th and 17th centuries, and are known collectively as “Cape Malays”, even though not all of them were of Malaysian descent.
Bo-Kaap is largely a Muslim community - the people of the Bo-Kaap call themselves Cape Muslims. As part of their religion, they take part in the Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. At the end of this holy month, a three day celebration named Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) takes place. It is generally customary to dress up in bright colours, and the painting of their houses in bright colours was an extension of this tradition.
But in doing so they have created a ‘sought after’ location and a number of wealthy outsiders have moved in and snapped up homes. It is often said that the different coloured houses have now become no more than a tourist attraction.