Characteristics of Bo-Kaap - Term Paper Example

The founders of Bo-Kaap were the first people to introduce Islam into SA, and their Muslim culture and traditions remain large and vibrant up to date. A unique tribute to the inhabitants of this area to the scenery of Cape Town is the 1844 Nurul Islam Mosque (Wilkinson and Kragolsen-Kille 21). The Bo-Kaap museum that was established in the 1760s is an iconic exhibition of Malay’s cultural contributions to the larger SA ethnic mix. A notable contribution of these people to the South African culture is through their traditional foods.

These include bobotie, bredie, koeksisters and sosaties (Wilkinson and Kragolsen-Kille 27).             In the apartheid era, Bo-Kaap was an area that was composed of an ethnic mix of inhabitants, and it was one of the areas under apartheid that housed non-whites in the central business district. The region became a center for Islamic teachings, which were attractive to former slaves who abandoned Christianity for Islam (Wilkinson and Kragolsen-Kille 30).

The area was a common ground for the recruitment of and spread of anti-apartheid ideology. After apartheid, the region became an attractive real estate location, which has seen a gradual increase in the number of foreign non-native inhabitants occupy the region. The area still remains an attractive spot for tourists and the younger generation who would want to experience a different culture and feel unique to the region.