Bo Kaap and Bo Kaap Museum
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Lying at the foot of Signal Hill, high above the busy city centre, is Bo Kaap – a vibrant part of Cape Town that is home to a diverse mix of people. Here, cobbled streets and colourfully-painted houses lend an eclectic air to the suburb, which is comprised primarily of descendents of slaves. The community is proud of its heritage, which spans many corners of the globe, and converged in Cape Town to become the Cape Malay contingent of the city.
History of the Bo Kaap
During the 17th and 8th centuries, the Dutch brought many slaves to Cape. These slaves hailed from various parts of the world, including Africa, Malaysia, Java and Indonesia. When they were brought together in the Cape, they eventually became recognised as the group known as Cape Malay. When slavery was abolished many years later, the slaves – who in their home countries had been scholars, political exiles, artisans, craftsmen and criminals – moved to the area now known as the Bo Kaap. Here, they established a community of their own – a community that is still thriving today.
The Bo Kaap Museum
The Bo Kaap Museum, situated at number 71 Wale Street, showcases the heritage and culture of the local Muslim and Cape Malay community. The museum was established in the late 1970s as part of the Cultural History Museum, and offers visitors unique insight into the lives, cultures and lifestyles of the Cape Malay people.
Be sure to visit Bo Kaap and the Bo Kaap Museum when next you visit Cape Town, or explore other fascinating museums in the area.
