View category The Cape Malay Choirs
These are groups of men that sing traditional songs composed and performed by their ancestors known as the Cape Malays. The latter were the descendants of the Indonesians and Malaysians who were brought to South Africa by Dutch colonisers in the late 1600s.The Cape Malay community’s name refers to their Malay heritage and their new geographical home, the Cape of Good Hope, now known as Cape Town. Their choirs were formalized initially by the apartheid regime and then they gained independence years later to form their own singing groups.
The songs have a deep-rooted significance for the choirs as it is part of a traditional and cultural way of life for the Cape Malays. Each year the choirs compete for trophies at singing competitions. There are currently three Malay choir boards that organise the competitions.
Choirs are dressed in smart suits and the traditional red fez. They have to perform various songs and the best vocalists take home the gold.
This is an ongoing storytelling project.
Published articles: Right Click + "Save Target As" to Download
- Songs of the slaves still get Capetonians’ spirits soaring: Cape Times newspaper (22 March 2002)
- Choristers of the Cape: a tradition in song: Cape Argus newspaper (13 February 2007)
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