Like the colorful houses that line its streets, the Bo-Kaap has a colourful history.
Lying on the lower slopes of Signal Hill, in the shadow of Lion's Head, this historic, multi-cultural suburb in Cape Town, is a sight for sore eyes. Brightly painted houses, characteristic of Dutch and British architecture, line narrow cobble-stoned streets. Many are national monuments.
Interspersed amongst them are quaint, picturesque mosques, including South Africa's oldest mosque, the Auwal (meaning first) Mosque, which was built in 1798.
The name Bo-Kaap means “above the Cape."
First established in 1760 as a slave quarter, many of the current residents are descendants of these slaves who were brought to the Cape by the Dutch in the 16th and 17th centuries from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Asian (and African) countries. There were traders, religious scholars, skilled craftsmen, artisans and convicts too.
They brought their religion, cuisine, culture and language with them. I realised this to a great extent when I visited Malaysia and heard words in use that I normally associate with the Cape Malay community.
The houses are painted in vivid shades of vibrant colours and make the Bo-Kaap one of the main attractions in Cape Town. Tourists can always be found snapping their cameras in the area. Besides taking photos, one can also go on guided tours, visit the mosques and museums, enjoy a Cape Malay cooking experience or eat at one of the local restaurants.
You can learn more about the area at the Bo Kaap Museum, which is the oldest house in the area still in its original form. It was built by Jan de Waal in 1768.
There are many theories about the origins of the bright colours but the most popular one seems to be as follows. Residents were previously restricted in the colours they were allowed to use during the apartheid era and when apartheid ended they painted their houses in bright, cheerful colours to express their joy and newly-found freedom. They often re-paint their houses in celebration of Eid, and usually after consulting with their neighbours.
Really fine post. I adore this site. Keep it up.
Wow!! Loving all the colours!! Although think that pink would give me a headache!!
You want to spend a few days right in the middle if it? book one of the fabulous rooms at Rouge on Rose , boutique hotel, a fabulous place with great hosts at a very reasonable price.
Thanks for the suggestion Nadine. Will have a look at it the next time I'm in the area.
omg are these places for real?? gorgeous pictures... really enjoyed reading this :)I can only imagine what a wonderful community to put up that sign! how were the locals?
Thank you Sahar. It does look like a make-believe world but the locals are authentic, friendly and welcoming.
MashaAllah, what attractive pictures and beautiful, colorful little houses! I would love to visit this place, seems like out of a story book... full of fascination 🙂
It's a fascinating place. Do come visit soon!
MashaAllah what a beautiful sight! The Masjid looks so fresh and pretty. Fascinating bit of background info for this beautiful place, thank you for sharing it with us. Definitely adding SA to my holiday list, I hope I get to visit one day inshaAllah.
Thank you! South Africa has many beautiful places. Do come visit soon!
Love the place! Its so vibrant and colourful. I wish i could take a walk down the streets one day InshAllah.
Thank you thequintessentialhousewife. Hopefully you will be able to walk down that street soon!
These houses are beautiful mashaAllah, really vibrant. Defo adding this to my holiday list inshaAllah
That would be awesome ChristalBlogs. Do come visit soon.
Wow beautiful places... everything looks so out of the world..
I agree - it looks like a make-believe world.
I want to take a walk down this street every day! MashAllah so colourful 😀
I think it would lift ones spirits to walk in such a colourful street everyday!
I want the pink house! Lol I love all the colours!
You can have the pink house - I'll take the purple one 😉