by Wendy, Cape Town
Bo-Kaap colorful houses
Derelect – one of the original homes
Muslim Shrine
Longmarket Street – longest street in Cape Town
We recently went on a fantastic outing to the area in Cape Town known as the Bo-Kaap. Back in Cape Dutch days the area was known as Waalendorp and was developed by a Dutch man in the late 1600’s. This area housed many families but the homes were built and then staffed by the slaves from Africa, Malaysia and Indonesia. It was later called the Malay Quarter when it was primarily the home for the Cape Muslims.
Initially the homes were all painted white to appear mediterranean, even into the last century. But now that the area has been revived and not only home to the Cape Muslim, but to young up and coming Europeans, they have undergone a wonderful transformation of color!
After a talk at the museum we walked around the area and as is typical of the Bo-Kaap you have a newly renovated home standing next to an empty plot of land with burnt out buildings next door.
We walked all he way to the top of long market street in time to hear the noonday gun and then to look out over Highlevel Road to where the old boundaries of the Bo-kaap used to be.
A fascinating journey into the Islamic heritage, Cape Town’s history and the aftermath of Apartheid.
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