Kampung Melayu Colors in Africa

Mesothelioma on

Saturday 4 April 2015

In the 17th century, when the company controls almost the entire archipelago, the isolation of those who become political prisoners and slaves until far into the continent and black Africa.

The exiles were placed in Bo-Kaap, a district in Cape Town, South Africa. From generation to generation, they proliferate and eventually form of Malay villages. By accident, the fans eventually be the cause of the spread of Islam in the Cape of Good Hope.

According to the data, the population of Muslims in South Africa are now reaching 1.5% of the total 44 million population.

Houses in Bo-Kaap special character, a blend of Eastern and neoclassical style. The streets are still made of natural stone from the 17th century, plus paint a colorful home to add to the uniqueness of this city. Unique settlement was known as Kampung Melayu or The Malay Quarter.

Populated mostly descendants of immigrants from Indonesia, who arrived in the African continent 300 years ago.

At first glance, people will not believe they are descendants of Malays. His nickname is the name of a typical Malay-Islamic name, but the name of the West family, two centuries ago as a result of regulations that require them to have a name that is easy to pronounce the Dutch colonists. Anyway, they do not speak French, but English and Afrikaans, a language is Dutch. Just a few words of Malay are still tucked in their language.

According to historians, the first Indonesian to arrive in South Africa consisted of slaves or forced laborers were transported there by the Dutch government. According to the museum archives in Bo-Kaap, during the period 1652 to 1808 recorded 4,890 slaves who arrived in Cape Town, of which 1,033 are from Indonesia.

There are eleven mosques in the Bo-Kaap. Auwal oldest mosque which was built in 1798. The mosque is also a symbol of recognition of the existence of Islam and Muslims in South Africa. From this mosque also began teaching schools Syafiiyah disseminated. As with any Muslim-majority Indonesia, South Africa was the majority of Muslims practicing Islam in accordance imam Shafi'i madhhab.

Another thing that stands out is that in this place, though not a Muslim country, but freedom of religion is so high. Men muslim majority wore his shirt and beard. While women, wearing the abaya and some wear hijab or burqa as face coverings. They had the freedom to work with clothes and such attributes.

Any plans to South Africa? No harm in visiting the Bo-Kaap in order to trace the history of our nation. Who knows could find a missing family chain? Who knows ...

Labels: Travel

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