Bo-Kaap, das bunte Herz Kapstadts

Bo-Kaap, what is it? The name, to some, conjures up an image of a district of Cape Town with colourful houses, eastern cooking and music. In reality though, there is far more to Bo-Kaap and “Bo- Kaap, das bunte Herz Kapstadts” helps to explore this. Firstly, who lives here today? Its earliest residents in the latter days of the 17th century were European tradesmen who could ill afford houses in the town centre; Later, some of these properties were purchased by Muslims which explains the present day, predominantly Muslim population whose ancestors came, mostly, from the east. The book explores the intolerant attitude of the Dutch authorities towards Islam which took root at the Cape through banishment and slavery. With the advent of their religious freedom, mosques were built and the book explains and describes their history, as well as the turbulent history of the Muslim burial ground, the differences or divisions within the Muslim faith which helped shape the people of Bo-Kaap. The reader embarks on an exploratory walk through the architecturally fascinating Bo-Kaap, learns about Muslim customs, religious schools, the meaning of a mosque, the Islamic calendar and will learn some basic greetings through the glossary.