HISTORY by Shafiq Morton SPORTS AND RECREATION by Dr Eghsaan Behardien

istorically, the Bo-Kaap encompassed Rose, Chiappini, Shortmarket and Wale Streets, hree factors were fundamental to the development of sport in the Bo-Kaap. Firstly the fact that the majority of the reaching up . The terraced houses, cobbled roads and lanes with its quaint inhabitants were Muslim played a key role in the way that organizations were structured. The second factor was hCape Dutch and Georgian architecture belie the Bo-Kaap’s real story of its struggles, and thatT the Bo-Kaap was an enclave allowing it to develop a culture that was unique to ultimately, the creation of a thoroughly creolised community, which gave rise to the Cape the area. Thirdly, its urban location exposed it to social activities to which isolated Malays. Osques enclaves would not generally be exposed. Yet while the Bo-Kaap community adopted m sports codes such as cricket and rugby, it patented these within a framework of its own Our The historical reality is that the Bo-Kaap started off as ’s first working- AUWAL PALM TREE values and moral codes. class housing estate. ’s geography was first created in 1760 when Jan de Waal, 39 Dorp Street 185 sexton of the Groote Kerk, bought the land that became the Bo-Kaap. Between 1763 and 1st Mosque in and South Africa 2nd Mosque in Cape Town Sport thus served to provide for the youth a cultural outlet and for the seniors a Bo Kaap 1768, Jan de Waal built several small “huurhuisjes” (rental houses) on this land, which he Established 1794 Established 1807 way of guiding young people on the path of good values. The cricket and rugby clubs CULTURAL HERITAGE rented out to emancipated Muslim slaves and “free” blacks. Sheikh Ismail Londt Tel: 084 993 1839 Imam Anwar Kamalie were thus also institutions of learning and discipline. Maulana Muhammad Carr Tel: 082 551 7324 Tel: 021 633 2632 079 522 2307 POSTER Residents complained about the flies, filth, public drunkenness, lasciviousness, the PUBLISHED BY damp of winter and the summer south-easter. Life was hard for slaves and they could be Rugby No.1 severely whipped or publicly burnt with hot tongs for disobedience. Rugby in the Bo-Kaap was introduced into its culture during the final quarter of the nineteenth century, but its Despite this and other hardships, the Bo-Kaap community persevered. In development became established early in the twentieth the 17th and 18th centuries, there are records of Muslims using rooms, called century when rugby clubs such as the Young Stars, langars, for the mawlud and daily prayer. Whilst some may criticise the popular Buffaloes and Young Ideas were started. Later Tricolours sword-wielding “ratiep”, it served as a rallying point and critical morale booster. and Leeuwendales emerged representing other parts of By the end of the 18th century there is evidence of actual property the Bo-Kaap. Strong Islamic values prevailed at ownership, particularly of a Muslim by the name of Coridon of Ceylon. all these clubs. There was a strict code IN However, this was definitely not a common occurrence. Research NURUL ISLAM JAMEAH MASJIED SHAFIE of conduct that was reflected in their COLLABORATION reveals that the Burgher Senate was hostile to any natural ambitions 134 Buitengragcht Street Lower Chiappini Street Upper Chiappini Street constitutions relating to dress codes, WITH of the non-white community. 3rd Mosque in Cape Town 5th Mosque in Cape Town 7th Mosque in Cape Town and 5th in Bo-Kaap eg. the wearing of a fez was Established 1834 Established 1847/50 Established 1876 compulsory at meetings. For this reason, Tuan Guru’s role is such an understated aspect Sheikh Serag Johaar Imam Abdul Mou’tie Saban Sheikh Yusuf Agherdien of our national history, for it is from the streets of the Bo-Kaap Tel: 021 797 6543 082 968 7254 Tel: 021 696 9960 Tel: 021 423 4569 084 825 8237 In 1936 Mr Gamiet Davids was the that the very first acts of urban resistance were enacted when he initiator of the Stars-Callies Rag that led the first known jumu’ah in the Chiappini Street quarry in 1790. became an annual event between the two his is the first in a series of posters that moulded, thus its status as the premier cultural clubs to raise funds for a number of charities. will seek to depict the cultural heritage heritage entity for Cape Muslims is beyond question. The Rag which took place on the Green Point Track in September every year was an event that brought great of Cape Muslims, both to themselves and The cosmopolitan demographic it developed A portrayal of the Bo-Kaap which resulted from a fusion of the victims of excitement. others,T as a testament of the unique and winding in the 20th Century (1900 – 2000) Anglo-Dutch imperialism on the one hand, and the by Dr Eshaam Palmer journey they have travelled thus far. beneficiaries of industrial development after the Cricket The poster is a collaboration between the Boorhaanol abolition of slavery on the other, has clear evidence The 20th century was ushered in with the scourge of bubonic plague that A similar picture could be painted of cricket in the Bo-Kaap. The Movement and Muslim Views, with the former providing in Cape Muslim culture today. struck Cape Town in 1901. Local nurses and Imams tended to the sick and dying. two oldest cricket clubs in the area were the Ottomans and Arabian NOOR EL HAMEDIA MASJIED BOORHAANOL ISLAM COOWATOOL ISLAM College Cricket Clubs. Probably the most outstanding cricket the content and the latter covering the printing costs. But Bo-Kaap’s cultural heritage pre-eminence is also The majority of the inhabitants were Malays (synonym for Muslims), hence the Long Street Longmarket Street Loop Street administrator in the Bo-Kaap was Sadick Emeran who presided It is often said that while we are products of our past, seriously being threatened these days by gentrification, strong Islamic atmosphere prevailing. 8th Mosque in Cape Town and 6th in 10th Mosque in Cape Town and 14th Mosque in Cape Town and 8th in over United Cricket Club from the time of its inception in 1976 we should not be prisoners thereof, particularly for a the process of changing its character by the influx of In 1934 the municipality declared the Malay Quarter a “slum” in terms of the Bo-Kaap. Established 1881 7th in Bo-Kaap. Established 1881 Bo-Kaap. Established 1892 in opposition to the racially orientated white cricket set-up. The community with such a rich cultural heritage. Eminent foreign and more affluent residents. It’s a battle for Slums Act, due to the derelict state of many of the houses. The Sheikh Ramadan Tekman Tel: 061 456 75 18 Sheikh Muhammad West Maulana Shuaib Appleby Ottomans Cricket Club had their own luminaries such as the Salie historians like Achmat Davids and Robert Shell concur the soul of the Bo-Kaap, a battle we believe every Cape declared Bo-Kaap for “Muslim Malays”. Sheikh Huseyin Hoca Tel: 078 568 29 75 Tel: 082 785 0032 Tel: 082 691 9181 All sports pics sourced via brothers amongst others. Amongst the legendary cricket personalities that the rich cultural heritage of Cape Muslims played a Muslim should actively participate in. As our former Haadie Dollie The Boorhaanol Recreational Movement, under the leadership of Imam produced in the area were Armien George, Armien Jabaar and pivotal role in establishing Islam’s influential footprint President Nelson Mandela taught us, knowledge is your “Manie” Bassier and Achmat Davids, was established to produce educational Basil D’Oliveira, who represented England in several Tests as an at the southern tip of Africa. The Bo-Kaap area was the best weapon, and we hope that this poster will contribute initiatives and socio-economic upgrading programmes for the Bo-Kaap. outstanding all-rounder. cauldron in which many of these cultural linchpins were to sharpening that weapon, Insha-Allah. For most of the 20th century, the ability of the Muslim inhabitants to freely practice their religion was restricted by poverty, racial and economic restrictions. This changed somewhat in 1994 when oppressive laws were abolished and Other activities Our profound thanks and deep appreciation to all our authors and many other democratic rights granted. A more controversial social activity was the coon or klopse culture. Within the contributors who freely gave of their valuable time, knowledge and research to make Madrassa attendance was an entrenched practise initiated by the early Islamic teachers like Tuan Guru and formed Bo-Kaap community, there has always existed divergent views on the cultural value this poster possible. What appears on the poster is a summarized version of their work. a strong foundation for their Islamic beliefs. During Ramadan children scampered on the cobble-stoned roads to deliver of klopse. However, the Bo-Kaap had down the years been a centre for the coon Read the full articles by scanning this QR Code or visiting www.boorhaanol.org.za and collect “cookies” from neighbours. Mawlid was a sacred and colourful affair where traditions like “rampies sny” was NOORUL MOGAMADIAH NUR EL HOUDA JUMU'A procession during the New Year period and many of its residents participated and/or practised and mosques were beautifully decorated. “Gadats” usually occurred on Thursday evenings. Vos Street Upper Leeuwen Street 3 Orange Street hosted the troops. 16th Mosque in Cape Town and 48th Mosque in Cape Town and 149th Mosque in Cape Town and WHAT IS BO-KAAP? In the early part of the century most men were employed as artisans and tailors, and in the latter part when their 9th in Bo-Kaap. Established 1885 10th in Bo-Kaap. Established 1958 11th in Bo-Kaap. Established 2006 A unique feature of the Bo-Kaap culture was ‘hoek-hou’ tradition. Down the years A living monument to the supreme sacrifices made emphasis on education paid off, many worked as teachers and skilled artisans. Women were occupied with raising Imam Madinee Mayman Sheikh Dawood Terblanche Sheikh Riyaal Rinquest 2 corners in the Bo-Kaap had become famous for the gathering of young people as by the pioneers of Islam in South Africa children or carried on occupations like nurses, midwives or dress-makers. Tel: 078 674 8363 Tel: 074 151 4951 Tel: 073 098 7943 meeting places. The best-known one was the corner of Rose and Wale Streets where sports people and supporters of clubs met to discuss forthcoming matches or analyse The Cradle of Islam where the first community of Children, with their amazing ability to be creative, played games like: “bok-bok” and “kennetjie”. Sunday mornings the results of games played. The other was on the corner of Lion and Leeuwen Streets. Muslims of diverse backgrounds had to co-exist were for “koesiesters”, freshly made on almost every corner. Weddings and engagements were elaborate affairs. in accordance with the dictates of the Deen A cultural fusion of East and West

by Sadiq Toffa ast asleep. The dreaded knock on the door. Sundays were holy days and nobody was BUILT ENVIRONMENT Not another school day again! Time allowed to work with all shops being closed, Beginning as always in the name of Allah po eM & F Blessings on our master we constantly implore lEGEnDS seems suspended.... Then: “Wie gaan thus opening opportunities for bespoke he Slums Act of 1934 and the Health Act of 1935 had a In addition to koesiestes haal?” Slinking further Koesieste home industries. Bo-Kaap bristles with b song Our mission here is to serve Him, major impact on the Bo-Kaap over the next 50 years. They religious and Tuan Guru by Shafiq Morton under the blanket is interrupted them. Seemingly every second house. tenvisaged the elimination of racially mixed “slums” and the geo-graphical CULTURE and only Him Tuan Guru, or Imam ‘Abdullah bin Qadi ‘Abd al-Salam, was born in 1712. As a member of the royal Sunday! Glorious Sunday morning Quickly out of bed and dressed, development of the townships. Through a major differences, by Oceans and mountains do, family, he became the focus of the Dutch East India Company, who fearful of rebellion, detained means koesiestes in the Bo-Kaap. A Mymoena irresistibly enticed by the thought of O so too the plant kingdom foreshore development and new transportation system, a Apartheid him in Batavia, and exiled him to the Cape in 1780. wonderful assortment thereof. Spicy Daniels getting a pasella koesieste from Aunty wholly segregated and modernist ideology also He wrote the Qur’an from memory on . In 1793, he founded the first madrasah in koesiestes, potato koesiestes, syruped with Beirie. The queue is long but patient, King’s slaves and freedom central city would be created. constructed South Africa, in the warehouse of Coridon of Ceylon. This became South Africa’s first mosque, the yellow coconut, or white coconut, sticky eyewitness the rest of household still fighters our ancestors were Top: Apartheid modernism: Sketch of class diff- Auwal mosque, in Dorp Street. Defying authorities, he led the first Jumu’ah in the Chiappini Street coconut in the centre, the choice is endless. asleep. Kitchen shared by Aunty Beirie and Kanala and kaparangs only K the new town planning scheme for Cape erences quarry in 1797. Tuan Guru, a pioneer of education, is a great hero who taught the slaves in Cape So are the vendors. Aunty Beirie of Boeta Naa, toiling away independently, with to prosper Bo-Kaap and beyond is the Cradle of Islam Town, showing model white inhabitants between the Town, about dignity and about Islam. Betjie in Bryant Str, Aunty Jaamie in former selling a smaller cheaper koesieste Filled with culture history heroes & eemaan gazing up two groups. Auwal and aaghier they Pepper St, Aunty Galiema Van Tanna of with white coconut, while the latter’s was Centre / bottom: Sketches of the pro- The Sara (Saartjie) van de Kaap by Khadeeja Bassier established for our use Pentz St, Laa of Boeta Happie in Rose St, larger with yellow coconut. Finally Aunty Above: Group areas declarations in the 1950s Sara (Saartjie) van de Kaap (1775-1847) chose Islam above personal gain. In her lifetime, she went and plentiful minarets posed elevated Buitengracht Freeway restoration Davids sisters in Longmarket Street. Beirie fills the proffered plate with A dividing Bo-Kaap and the city of the Malay and 60s: Bo-Kaap as Malay and coloured, from slave to landowner. She bought the Dorp Street properties (the house and the mosque) for despite their disputes and the city as white. The origin of this culinary steaming koesiestes straight out of the pan Group Area by 3,000 guilders from her mother who had inherited the properties from her husband. Her husband Although the Buitengracht tradition probably derived from and wraps it with lunch wrap. the City Council in the 1970s would censor the diversity of was the Imam of the mosque. The act of transfer was a clear recognition of women’s Islamic right Anger and anxiety may freeway was never constructed, to property ownership when many countries had not granted women this right. slavery days. Ancestors adopted Now for the best moment. The pasella split us into bits the Bo-Kaap’s architecture and culture, to produce a single buildings were demolished in Her will (1843) stipulated that the mosque property shall be used for worship as long as Islam was the ‘koeksister’ they saw being gets pride of place on top. The walk home as capital erodes and romantic image of the Malay community as representing a preparation for its construction, and allowed. She believed through knowledge and prayer, emancipation of the spirit could be achieved for made in colonial kitchens and is deliberately long. Nibbling on a free A destroys our spirits Dutch past. parking garages and workshops a community oppressed by colonial tyranny. adapted it with their own spices. koesieste is so much fun! The colourful houses that fascinates visitors today dates Perchance in the process were built on its periphery as from this restoration period onwards. It is particularly related we may learn some taqwa “servant spaces” for the anticipated Abdol Burns by Andre Odendal Perhaps we will earn His infrastructure. Under the Group Areas to the recognition of domestic dignifying and celebratory Abdol Burns of the Bo-Kaap, was a community leader and the first president of the Cape Town Cricket GLOSSARY P Pleasure, Insha-Allah Act of 1950, the Bo-Kaap was divided aspects of Ramadan and Eid. Colour is therefore both symbols Union. He organised the first Malay inter-town cricket tournament in 1890. The games were played of an orientalist vision imposed on the community, but also of into two sections: a “Malay Group Area”, for Muslims, and a on the then one-year-old Newlands ground, over three weeks on Mondays and Tuesdays, when the Aaghier – Last Kanala – Please Mawlid – Birthday “Coloured Group Area” for non-Muslims. individual and group dignity, pride, and identity. ‘whites-only’ teams weren’t using it. More than 5000 spectators watched the first day. Auwal – First Kaparangs – Wooden sandals Pasella – Free He emerged as a local spokesman in the late 1860s, when he spoke at a protest meeting, against the Bok-bok – A game whereby a player Kennetjie – A game played with a home- Quran – Book containing Divine word flogging clauses in the Master and Servant Bill. In 1886, Abdol Burns marched at the head of a crowd bends forward and other players jump made wooden peg where both edges are of Allah of 3000 protesting at the City council’s decision to close the Tanu Baru cemetery and the burying of a by Sheikh Sa’dulla Khan by Sadiq Toffa onto his back thinner than the middle part, Ramadan – 9th Month of the Islamic CHALLENGES HERITAGE PROTECTION young child. Deen – Religion with total length of about 10cm, hit by calendar - month of fasting Ebadah – Worship the players with another stick or rod Rampie-sny – Pre mouloud ceremony Eemaan – Faith with the aim of being furthest from the attended by females in the mosque o-Kaap’s charming setting, not be compromised, our values should not be he earliest protest and legal action for the protection increased gentrification that accelerated after the forced Achmat Davids by Rashard Jedaar Eid – Day of celebration starting block of two parallel bricks where orange leaves are cut, then of the Bo-Kaap dates from 1886 at the Tana Baru removal of the last remaining informal settlement in the Dr Achmat Davids lived in the Bo-Kaap and continues as a legend. He was committed to building a bincreasing tourist attraction, abandoned and our faith should not be sold at the T Fez – Headgear of Muslim males, Klopse – Coons smoked and infused with fragrance growing foreign interest and ideal altar of profit or greed. Burial Ground. The Muslim cemetery uprising saw 3000 central city, known as ‘the Kraal’, in early 2016. better society. As Director of Social Services at the Muslim Assembly (1967 - 1980), he found a base consisting of cylindrical stiff felt Koesieste – Sweet deep-fried cake before being gathered into small packets to interact with the family, the socially deprived as well as formulate and launch his literature for location, makes it a magnet for Within the current Bo-Kaap community, there Muslims march from the city to the cemetery in protest at In 2016 the Bo-Kaap was nominated by University material in black or red. covered in coconut traditionally enjoyed and handed out on the evening of tourists, real estate agents and investors, the City Council’s community building. Gadats – Colloquial term for Ratib Al- by Muslims on Sunday mornings mouloud. is also the semblance of disconnect between the of Cape Town to the World Monuments Fund, which His book, Mosques of the Bo-Kaap (1980), reflects the struggle of the forefathers. He wrote more than 40 and therein lies its greatest challenges, closure of the Haddad, the recital Langars – Room attached to a house Sheikh – Learned scholar of the religion younger generation and the elders relating to recognised it as a threatened and globally significant publications culminating in his magnum opus: The of the Cape Muslims from 1815 to 1915: A namely gentrification, tourism and possible burial ground. The of praises in the remembrance of Allah dedicated for religious worship by of Islam faith practices. Mosques are sparsely attended cultural heritage landscape. Socio-Linguistic Study. He was a leading authority on South African Muslim culture and history; and is (God) Muslim public. Tana Baru – New ground loss of identity. Tana Baru Trust and youth appear to be conspicuously less visible In early 2019, after widespread protests, rivalry acknowledged nationally and internationally as an expert on the genesis of the Afrikaans language. Imams – Religious leaders Madrassa – Afternoon school where Taqwa – Being conscious of God; pious was established to Many who reside there do not earn at religious events. Bo-Kaap residents and former between competing community groups, and controversial Insha-Allah – If Allah so wills Muslim kids are taught to read Qur'an and God-fearing manage and protect enough to afford the increased rates, hence residents need to host more events in the Bo- political delays, the entirety of the Bo-Kaap was officially Sheikh Salih Abadi by Sheikh Serag Johaar Jumu'ah – Friday congregational prayer and other related subjects Tuan – Mister the Tana Baru. increased protests amidst the rising tide of Kaap, re-familiarise themselves and others with gazetted as a municipal Heritage Protection Overlay Zone There are those rare people who come into our lives and have an immeasurable impact that changes The 1994 new gentrification. Overcoming this challenge the hallowed history of the area and reconnect (HPOZ) by the City Council. our lives forever. Sheikh Salih Abadi not only read the Quran day and night, he also taught the PRODUCED BY: Boorhaanol Islam Movement [email protected] COPYRIGHT: No part of this publication political dispensation saw the beginning of a series of of Bo-Kaap gentrification requires a to its proud past. There is a need to revive the The greatest heritage victory for the Bo-Kaap residents Quran to so many, but most importantly, genuinely embodied Hifth-ul-Quran. His humble Quranic may be reproduced in any form without public interventions to conserve the heritage of the P.O. Box 15291, Vlaeberg, 8018 Boekatreats realization that the issue is not merely warm spirit of community that was evident in the occurred on 30 April 2019, when 19 Sites in the Bo-Kaap aura compelled one to stand up out of respect, his dress code and punctuality was that of a true the written permission of the Boorhaanol Bo-Kaap. However, attempts to do so failed and the role model, he truly believed that Allah was Sufficient for our Providence and Sustenance and the total Tel: 021 424-1864 Fax: 021 423-7460 www.boorhaanol.org.za Islam Movement Protest pics by about the commercial value of property, but previous generations; that spirit of our illustrious were simultaneously gazetted as National Heritage Sites. succeeding years saw many historically inappropriate humility, sincerity and endurance whilst in Ebadah are the noble characteristics exemplified by him. I Ashraf Hendricks rather about the area’s antiquity, identity, destiny pioneers who left an honourable legacy which They include six mosques, five landscape features, three and hence the need to perpetuate the legacy every South African should be proud of; a legacy developments threaten the scale and culture of the area. witnessed him walking from Mina to Arafah, a distance of 17 km, in heat of plus 40 degrees to complete schools, the Bo-Kaap Museum and the Tana Baru. his hajj. He was 82! of a unique historic community. Our heritage worthy of emulation and preservation. The mixed-income and predominantly working-class must not be relinquished, our principles should character of the Bo-Kaap has also been threatened by