A real colorful map...
This was shared on Facebook and as far as we can tell the original came from the Facebook Page called "Being South African". See this page by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Being-South-African/78939976669
Thursday, 3 January 2013
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
What is 'die Tweede Nuwe Jaar'?
Today, browsing through twitter and facebook I realized that there are many tourists and, shockingly, South Africans, that are clueless about the 'Tweede Nuwe Jaar'. So I decided it is important to give a short explanation so that we do not all remain in complete ignorance :).
Translated from Afrikaans, 'Die Tweede Nuwe Jaar' means 'the second new year' and it takes place on the 2nd of January every year in our beautiful mother city - Cape Town.
Also called the Kaapse Klopse, Coon Carnival and Cape Town Minstrel Carnival this is basically a minstrel festival whereby thousands of minstrels flock to the streets of Cape Town in colorful outfits and painted faces to sing and dance spontaneously to celebrate new beginnings. This day is special to Capetonians, celebrated since the mid 1800s. It is the day Dutch slave masters went on holiday and the slaves enjoyed a day of freedom to celebrate the new year.
Cape Town is the only place in Africa that celebrates this significant day. It used to be a public holiday in the Mother City, but 17 years ago (approximately) the provincial government removed the legislation that allowed this festive day to be a public holiday. Many have paid no attention to this and have continued to practice it as a holiday.
With such history and excitement, who would want to ban our locals from celebrating a traditional event?
Unfortunately, even 18 years after the 'freeing' of South Africa, our colorful city remains to some extent divided. Although gradually increasing/improving, the festival is attended by few blacks and whites and remains largely a mixed race (commonly referred as "coloured") enjoyment spectated by some tourists.
Hopefully in the future, more of us South African's can put our guard down and celebrate this important day with each other so that the meaning of "Rainbow Nation" can be truly displayed and we as a nation can respect and enjoy each others cultural backgrounds.
Read this article for more insight:
http://www.henrytrotter.com/scholarship/minstrel-carnival.html
Translated from Afrikaans, 'Die Tweede Nuwe Jaar' means 'the second new year' and it takes place on the 2nd of January every year in our beautiful mother city - Cape Town.
Also called the Kaapse Klopse, Coon Carnival and Cape Town Minstrel Carnival this is basically a minstrel festival whereby thousands of minstrels flock to the streets of Cape Town in colorful outfits and painted faces to sing and dance spontaneously to celebrate new beginnings. This day is special to Capetonians, celebrated since the mid 1800s. It is the day Dutch slave masters went on holiday and the slaves enjoyed a day of freedom to celebrate the new year.
Cape Town is the only place in Africa that celebrates this significant day. It used to be a public holiday in the Mother City, but 17 years ago (approximately) the provincial government removed the legislation that allowed this festive day to be a public holiday. Many have paid no attention to this and have continued to practice it as a holiday.
With such history and excitement, who would want to ban our locals from celebrating a traditional event?
Unfortunately, even 18 years after the 'freeing' of South Africa, our colorful city remains to some extent divided. Although gradually increasing/improving, the festival is attended by few blacks and whites and remains largely a mixed race (commonly referred as "coloured") enjoyment spectated by some tourists.
Hopefully in the future, more of us South African's can put our guard down and celebrate this important day with each other so that the meaning of "Rainbow Nation" can be truly displayed and we as a nation can respect and enjoy each others cultural backgrounds.
Read this article for more insight:
http://www.henrytrotter.com/scholarship/minstrel-carnival.html
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