Living Cape Town
Language and food
What carries between generations
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A community’s history also survives in books, kitchens and the words used at home.
An early Afrikaans book in Arabic script
Abu Bakr Effendi’s Bayan al-Din, published in 1877, is among the earliest Afrikaans books, and it is written in Arabic script. Effendi is buried at Tana Baru; his chapter is in the story in order.
Cape Malay dishes
Bobotie, denningvleis, bredie, koesisters and boeber are Cape Malay dishes, and boeber is drunk on the fifteenth night of Ramadan. Ask the people cooking about their own way of making them. Kitchens differ, and so do families.
Cooking with a host
If you arrange a cooking experience, ask what is included and whether it suits your dietary or access needs. Confirm arrangements on the day.
From the page to the place
Plan a visit
Bo-Kaap Museum
71 Wale Street, Bo-Kaap
The Bo-Kaap Museum uses a historic house to introduce life in the neighbourhood. It is a useful starting point before walking the surrounding streets because it gives the houses and domestic spaces a social context. The visit rewards attention to ordinary household details, which can tell you as much about a community as a large public monument.
Visiting detailsConfirm access and opening times before setting out.