History of BoKaap

The residents of Bo-Kaap are mostly descended from slaves who were imported to the Cape by the Dutch during the the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They reigned from Africa, Indonesia, Java Malaysia, and elsewhere in Asia. They were known as "Cape Malays", which is an incorrect term as most of BoKaap's residents are not entirely of Malaysian descent. There are still traces of Indonesian vocabulary in BoKaap's dialect such as "trim-makaasi" thank-you and "kanalah" please! There are also many words which have also been substituted with Afrikaans.

Slaves:
The Dutch imported slaves who were political exiles, convicts, skilled craftsmen, artisans, famous scholars and religious leaders. Islam, who roots started in Saudi Arabia some 1400 years ago was brought to the Cape in the 1700's.

Skill, Talents and Cuisines:
Skills and talents passed down from generation to generation accompanied these slaves. Not only skilled craftsman but superb cooks and cuisines blossomed. The Cape Malay Cuisine are not only delicious but unique and has played a huge role in South African dishes. The dishes are a combination of Asian, Arab and European which makes people view food in a different light.

(1) The Auwal Mosque- The First Mosque 
The Auwal Mosque is the first and oldest mosque built in South Africa. This is evident according to very strong oral tradition which also confirms that Imam Abdullah Kadi Abdus Salaam also known as Tuan Guru, who was the first Imam at this Mosque. 
The Auwal mosque came into existence in 1798 during the first British occupation of the Cape of Good Hope and was the main religious instituting during the years 1804 until 1850. This mosque is also the first to have practiced most of the Cape Muslim traditions.
The Auwal mosque was a Shafee mosque and was in conformance with the doctrines of Muslims of Indonesian origin. Hence the teachings of Shafee were taught so that up to this day more than 90% of Muslims in the Bo-Kaap are Shafee.
The Auwal Mosque which is situated in Dorp Street has ever since its inception been a symbol of the struggle of Cape Muslims for the recognition of Islam and their freedom to worship.

(2) Palm Tree Mosque
The Palm Tree Mosque is the second oldest Mosque in BoKaap and was established in 1820. The Mosque's location is in Long Street and appears to be a house that was converted into a Mosque. The Mosque is also referred to in some books as the Jan Van Boughies Mosque. The first Imaam appointed was Abdoolgamiet van Bengalen.

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(3) Nurul Islam Mosque
Nurul Islam Mosque is the first mosque in South Africa founded by a congregation of students who studied under the guidance of Imam Achmat van Bengalen. It is the third oldest mosque and is situated in a small lane off Buitengracht Street about one hundred metres from the Auwal mosque. It was founded in 1844 by the younger of Tuan Guru's sons, Imam Abdol Rauf.

The Mohammedan Shafee Congregation was established round about the 1830's by Abdol Rakiep together with his brother Abdol Rauf, the three sons of Achmat van Bengalen and Baderoen. It was only 27 February 1844 that the Mohamedan Shafee Congregation received a transference of property to build the mosque with Abdol Rauf as Imam.

(8) Quawatul Islam Mosque
The eighth Mosque to be constructed in BoKaap is Quawatul Islam Mosque in Loop Street. The Mosque was built as a result of the large influx of Indian Muslims to Cape Town. By the late nineteenth century the majority of the Muslim people residing in BoKaap were Shafee due their culture and the their rooted beginnings. This did cause conflict as the Hanafee  followers would not allow marriages to takes place between themselves and Shafee followers. But today it is possible and that struggle is over.  

(9) Nurul Mohamadia Mosque
The Mosque was constructed in 1899 in Vos Street. The location is described as between Strand, Waterkant, Hudson and Vos Street. The land was donated by Hadjie Salie Jacob to the Nurul Mohamedia Congregation. It was the first Mosque in BoKaap with a proper constitution defining the rights of the Imam and the members of the Mosque. It was also the first BoKaap not involved in the Supreme Court litigations.

(10) Nurul Huda Mosque
Situated near the Schotsches Kloof Flats in Leeuwen Street is the Nurul Huda Mosque constructed in 1958. A prayer room was constructed by the Jassiem Family is 1939. Madressa classes are also held.                                         

Cape Malay style food

Cape Malay cooking has had a considerable influence on South African culinary traditions and its virtues have been extolled by such writers and epicures as Laurens van der Post and Louis Leipoldt. Although it is predominantly Indian in origin, Malay cooking has been largely influenced by Indian cuisine hence the curries, rotis and samoosas. The baked puddings, tarts and biscuits show a strong Dutch influence, while the delicious fruit preserves are mainly French Huguenots in origin.   

The name Cape Malay is perhaps something of a misnomer as it refers to followers of the Islamic faith, whose forefathers were brought to the Cape as slaves form the Indonesian island of Java, over 300 years ago. They were not associated with Malaysia in any way, except that they spoke Malay, a kind of universal language in that part of the world.  

From its very beginning, South Africa has been a melting pot where east meets west. In the 17th century, Malay cooks were very much sought after in the predominantly Dutch Homes and soon learned how to prepare Dutch fare such as melktert, but added their own embellishment of grated nutmeg or cinnamon. They also used the exotic spices of the land of their birth to create such well-known dishes such as bobotie, sosaties and pickled fish, which were almost always accompanied by chilli atjars, blatjangs and sambals. Many Malays were also expert fishermen. Fish, especially snoek, and other seafood’s became an important part of their diet. Ever-popular delicacies, like koeksisters and crunchy tameletjies were reserved for Sundays and feast days. Desserts were not all that common, and most of the fruit found in abundance at the Cape was eaten fresh or preserved in a light syrup.  

Spices used in Malay cooking vary from Aniseed, Bay Leaves, Borrie, Cardamom, Chilli, Cinnamon, Cloves, Curry Powder and Leaves, Ginger and Masala to name but a few.

CAPE MALAY FOOD To the top Food plays an important role in the community life of the Cape Malay. The Javanese have always believed that it is not enough to simply provide your guests with good food; you must do more than that. You must entertain them with good conversation and make them feel welcome and appreciated. When a Moslem invites guests over for a meal, he almost prepares a feast or niyyat. The guests take the leftover food home in serviettes. In contrast to western culture, this is not considered rude. The Moslems believe that after the niyyat, the food no longer belongs to the host, but to the guests Before every meal the Bismallah is recited, which means "In the name of Allah…." According to tradition, the host helps himself first, followed by the older male guests.With the exception of soup and certain desserts, all food is eaten with the fingers of the right hand only so that the palm of the hand never gets dirty. Food may not be brought to the mouth in the left hand because the left hand cleans the other body openings. After a community festival, the leftover food is taken to Old Age Homes and Children's Homes or dealt out to the poor. In the most Cape Malay households the main meal is served in the evening when the head of the household is present. Fridays are the exception, for the men attend the Mosque for the compulsory Ju'maab prayer meeting. Sunday lunches are also important family gatherings. If friends should arrive during the meal, they are invited to share in the meal. The Moslems believe that anybody outside of the immediate family who enjoys a meal with the host is blessed (called barakat). There should always be enough food for unexpected guests and it is very embarrassing when there isn't enough. The meals are not served in their respected courses; all the courses are laid out simultaneously on the table. Everyone decides for himself/herself what he or she chooses to eat first. The lady of the household seldom sits at the table. She sees to everyone's comfort. A good Malay cook is known as a modji-cook. She enjoys a high standing in the community and is often asked to cater at weddings and funerals. She alone receives all the credit. The modji-cook is never paid for her effort, but if she should ever need a favor from anyone who has "employed her", she is always granted that favor. This is known as kanala. Malays have one typical dish – curry, even on hot days. They believe that curry eaten on a hot day, helps to cool the body. In the days of District Six, many people from the city and well-known visitors from overseas, made the excursion into the area to sample the curry at Mr. Kathrada's Crescent Café in Hanover Street. Bobotie – minced meat cooked with brown sugar, apricots and raisins is also very popular. Koeksisters – luscious spiced doughnuts, dipped in syrup and rolled in desiccated coconut – are still a Sunday morning refreshment among the Malays.

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An unmistakable uniqueness about Bokaap houses is the " stoeps" (front porches). The height of the stoep is usually elevated from the streets and built up from solid bricks finished with tiles or "klompjes" which is a hard brick from the Netherlands. Some stoeps have iron railings. But the stoep best serves the purpose of being a place where family and friends meet and socialize. In the old buildings of the Cape yellowwood, stinkwood, teak and pine were imported from Norway. Indigenous Timber was scarce.

Window:  The windows of the older houses of Bokaap consisted of teak and in later years they used pine. The styles of windows either followed the Cape Dutch, Georgian or Victorian style. The Cape Dutch frame was one big piece of timber. The Victorian style
frame was a frame which consisted of many divisions. The windows and external frames were normally painted green while the teak was not painted but oiled.

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Door: The Cape Dutch style of houses was famously characterized by the two paneled doors. This was a door divided into two parts horizontally allowing the top section to be open while the bottom section could be closed. The Georgian style was a double door consisting of either six or eight panels divided in the middle. The outside doors were commonly painted green while the teak which they used as timber were oiled.
According to the Cape Dutch style the inside of the doors were not painted and usually had single paneled doors. These panels and the frames were made of yellowwood with rails made of teak. These doors usually have two to four or six panels each.

Floor: Before the nineteenth century timber was also scarcely available for flooring. Hence some floors were made of peach-stones and clay. When timber was more available yellowwood was used. It was mainly used for front rooms. The kitchen and backrooms had floors made of concrete with vinyl tiles.

Ceilings: Ceilings were either made of teak boarding or the underside of yellowwood. 

Staircase: Staircases were normally made of teak. 

Roof: The problem encountered with roofs was their durability against fire, wind and water. When roofs were being built in Bokaap yellowwood was used for this purpose as well. First they built the yellowwood on top of thick beams, then had a layer of crushed bricks which were concealed with three coats of shell lime and crushed and burnt shells. When there was a leakage they used train oil, tar or paint to repair them. 

In the 1850's corrugated iron was used. The Moslem Cafe in Rose Street was different to the normal roofs since after the usual brick layers it was finished with shell-lime and sea-shell in addition to a layer of corrugated iron being laid over that.

Brick: The bricks used were made of clay which was sun-dried and made in wooden moulds. Kiln-built bricks were more expensive than bricks. The hard-burnt bricks from the Netherlands were used for steps and the edges of stoeps. Thereafter the English brick was imported which was red in colour.

Stone: The local stone of Signal Hill was used for the foundations of Bokaap houses. 

Window Glass: All the window glass were imported from Europe and was about 200x150mm in measurement.

Metalwork: All the iron used for railings, locks, hinges, door handles of brass, escutcheon plates and bolts were imported from Holland.

Kramats (Muslim Shrines) are burial sites of Saints of Islam. For many generations, residents of Cape Town visit these Shrines and pay their respects. In BoKaap there are three Kramats, and behind BoKaap on Signal Hill there are two. We will give you a brief history of these Muslim Shrines and the role these men played in the History of BoKaap's Islamic foundation.

The "Tana Baru" (meaning New Ground) is a Muslim burial site in BoKaap which was purchased by the Cape Imams in 1840. In 1886, however, the Tana Baru was closed in terms of the Public Health Act No.4 of 1883. A burial site in Maitland was granted but the which upset the Cape Muslims  as it was quite a distance from BoKaap. They also maintained that the Tana Baru was well maintained and was of no danger to public health.

The Moslem Cemetery Board fenced the Tana Baru in 1920 which indicates that the entire area including the private plots were once regarded as a Muslim burial ground. It was also due to Tuan Guru that the land granted to Frans of Bengal on the Tana Baru as a burial site in 1805.

Three prominent early Cape Muslim Imams lie buried on the Tana Baru grounds and shrines have been erected to honour them.

Kramats in BoKaap (Tana Baru)

• Tuan Nuruman / Imam Norman
• Tuan Sayeed Alawse
• Tuan Guru / Imam Abdullah Kadi Abdus Salaam 

1) Tuan Nuruman or Imam Norman. He was elected as Imam of his people while he resided in the Slave lodge. While being housed in the slave lodge (today known as the Cultural History Museum) he was considered an oracle for the good deeds that he performed. He was the only known Wali that was a former slave. He had a light, which in today's terms can be described as an aura, which eminated when he prayed. 

2)  Tuan Sayed Alawie of Mocca in Yemen. He was known for his propogandisement among the slaves in the Slave Lodge. Tuan Sayed served a prison sentence of eleven years. After his release he settled on the mainland and was regarded as the first official Imam of the Cape Muslims.

3)  Imam Abdullah Kadi Abdus Salaam also best known as Tuan Guru. He was a prince from Tidore in the Ternate Islands and was brought to the Cape in 1780. While imprisoned on Robben Island, Imam Abdullah wrote a book on Islamic Jurisprudence and several copies of the Holy Qur'an from memory. His handwritten works became the main reference work of the Cape Muslims in the nineteenth century and had a tremendous influence on Islam in the Cape. He established the first organized school where the Quran was taught to slaves and free black children. Hence he was nicknamed "Tuan Guru" meaning "Mister Teacher".

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Kramats on Signal Hill 

• Sheikh Mohammed Hassen Ghaibie Shah
• Tuan Kaape-ti-low 

The daily noon gun is now Cape Town's oldest living tradition and the two guns used are the oldest guns in daily use in the world. 

The daily gun was fired as a time signal for ships anchored in the bay, but every Capetonian came to rely on the gun for the accurate time. Pocket watches were scarce and inaccurate during the 19th century and in the outlying towns, where time was loosely divided into four parts: day, night, morning and afternoon. A traveler from Cape Town could expect to be asked if he had the correct "gun time". Being fired from the observatory, the accuracy of the noon gun was never questioned and was accepted as the ultimate in accurate time. 

As Cape Town developed and grew, the noise of the gun became too loud and violent for the city center and the guns were moved to Lion Battery. The first was fired on 4th August 1902. These same guns are still in use today. They are loaded every day by the South African Navy at about 11h30 with 3,1kg bag of gunpowder.
The second gun is loaded as a stand - by gun in case the first misfires. 

DAILY ROUTINE: 
11h30 - Remove tampions
11h35 - Check bores clear
11h40 - Load both guns
11h45 - Clear the gun deck
11h50 - Prime the guns
11h55 - Raise flag BRAVO
11H59 - Begin countdown
12h00 - Fire
12h02 - Unload stand - by gun
12h03 - Down flag BRAVO

LION BATTERY 
Lion Battery was built from 1889 to 1890 and was armed with two 9 inch rifled muzzle loading guns. The Battery was remodeled in 1911, with new emplacements being constructed on top of the old works, and rearmed with two 9.2 inch Mk X breech loading guns. These guns could fire a 170kg shell to a maximum range of 28km. The firing of these guns ceased in 1935 due to blast damage caused in Green Point below the Battery. 

Lion Battery also houses the four 12 pounder guns which are used for the firing of gun salutes on state occasions. 

THE SILENT PAUSE
Two minutes of silence is a tradition observed world wide when fallen soldiers are remembered. Most people have observed it at some time or other, but few know who initiated the idea and when it came into being . 

Sir Percy FitzPatrick , the South African author of "Jock of the Bushveld", is credited with this honour. He came up with this idea after his son, Nugent, a major in the Union Defence Force, was killed in France. 

Sir Harry Hands, the Mayor of Capt Town, initiated a daily noon day pause to follow the firing of the gun on Signal Hill on 14th May 1918. 

The first minute is a time of thanksgiving for those who have survived and the second minute is to remember the fallen. 

- Information by Noon Day Gun Personnel -

http://www.bokaap.co.za/attractions.html

Bo Kaap Cape Town

Bo Kaap Museum

The Cape Malay

Kramats of the Western Cape

Cape Town and Surrounds

See Maré's photos

See Karen's write up and pics