These slaves were called Cape Malays, even though not all of them were of Malaysian descent.
Many local women converted to Islam to marry Muslim men.
“They didn’t drink alcohol, so they made better husbands,” a local guide explained.
Today, the people of the Bo-Kaap call themselves Cape Muslims.
In earlier days, all the houses of Cape Town were painted white.
Then the residents of Bo-Kaap began painting their houses in vivid colors in preparation for the celebration of Eid.
Neighbors would often agree on what colors to use so as not to have a clash of shades.
Bo-Kaap’s multifaceted heritage is reflected in its music, dance and food too.
The close-knit community is however, undergoing a slow dissolution.
In years to come, Bo-Kaap could be a very different place.
Source:Wikipedia/SA Venues/The National/The Daily Vox
