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Bo Kaap / Malay Quarter

The Malay Quarter is also known as Bo Kaap, Cape Muslim Quarter or Tana-Baru. The interesting, historical part is bordered by Rose, Wale, Chiappini and Shortmarket Street, whereby the entire district inhabited by the Cape Malay people now stretches from the Buitengracht up to Signal Hill.

Minarets and pastel-colored houses characterize the image of the residential area that emerged in the late 18th century. The Cape Malays are descendants of the slaves who arrived from Asia in the second half of the 17th century. Contrary to the name, only very few came from Malaysia, most were Indians and Ceylonese, many were also Indonesians. Malay was the language of trade in South Asia at the time, so the name can be traced back to this. Many were skilled craftsmen who built small houses using elements of the Cape Dutch and English styles.

Incidentally, the founder of the Muslim community was Sheigh Yusuf, a Ceylonese who was sent into exile to Cape Town in 1694 together with 50 other Muslim scholars. They converted many slaves in particular to Islam, initially against the massive resistance of the Dutch Reformed Church, as religious freedom was only introduced in 1804.