My Culture
Cape Malay Culture

Essay Writing Competition 2024
Category: 8 - 11 years
- Runner-up -

"My Culture - Cape Malay Culture" by Imaan Morris from South Africa was chosen as runner-up in the Junior category 8 - 11 years.

This article was submitted in the Kids World Travel Guide Essay Competition 2024.

My Culture
Cape Malay Culture

In this essay I will be talking about the culture I was born into, which is the Cape Malay culture.

The Cape Malay culture started when slaves were brought to South Africa from Indonesia. They were the first to bring Islam to South Africa. It is a unique and friendly culture that does not exist anywhere outside of South Africa.

During the month of Ramadaan, we observe the fast from sunrise to sunset. A special part of the day is when we break our fast. This is called "Boeka". Before boeka time, we send food to our neighbours. This helps build love among each other. We also perform evening prayer called "Taraweeh" which is only performed in Ramadan.

My favourite festival is Eid. Eid is the day following the end of Ramadan. This holy day is a day of celebration for Cape Malay Muslims. We celebrate Eid because we believe that our sins have been forgiven.

We prepare special meals such as briyani, curries and roast beef to take to our families and celebrate the day together. Other traditional foods are denningvleis, which is a savory meat dish, different types of bredies which are Cape Malay stews, frikkadels with sweet yellow rice, as well as sosasties and boboties. Special desserts are milk tart, potato pudding and malva pudding. It is also a Cape Malay tradition to have koeksisters or bollas with a cup of tea or coffee on a Sunday morning.

Cape Malay traditional clothing include the medorah which is a special head dress that is worn by women on special occasions like when they return from Hajj or when attending weddings. This piece of material is decorated with gold and silver trimmings and has various patterns and flowers. My great grandmother was well known for making medorahs.

A big feature of the year is the annual Cape Malay choir competition, where men dress smartly in suits and red fezzes. It often involves family members from grandfathers to grandsons and cousins who all participate in the same choir. The oldest Malay Choir is my family’s choir called the "Young Men Sporting Club", which is 86 years old this year. Cape Malay Choirs sing songs like the "Comic Song" which is a light-hearted song and the "Nederlands Song" which is the traditional and most prestigious item.

The Cape Malay Language is a mixture of English, Afrikaans and Indonesian words and is lovingly called "Afrikaaps". Some Cape Malay words we use daily are Kanallah which means "please", Shukran or Trama Kassie which means "thank you", Ta Maaf which means "Pardon Me", Afwan means "You’re Welcome" and Inshallah which means "God-willing".

This is only a small sample of what the Cape Malay culture is and there is so much more to learn and explore. Shukran and Trama Kassie.

Congratulations on your essay "My Culture - Cape Malay Culture", Imaan! This is a lovely and insightful essay about your favourite Cape Malay traditions! Thank you for sharing your story with us!

Imaan attends West End Primary School in Mitchells Plain/ South Africa. English as First Language.