EATING TOGETHER DURING RAMADAAN IN BO-KAAP
The balconies of the Bo-Kaap reverberate with that boisterous sound as the Dome of the Azzavia Mosque lights up, thus announcing the end of the day’s fast. Children shriek with delight and scoot to their places at the dinner table, adorned with dates, soup, samosas and other delicacies freshly made from the latest Boeka Treats recipe book.
Eating together during Ramadaan is seemingly an oxymoron, a negation of the very purpose which is to elevate the soul from its baser desires. During this sacred month, when abstinence from all food and drink from dawn to dusk is observed, a whole range of higher goals is aimed for, among them greater self-development and empathy for the poor. Whether by design or convenience, Cape Muslims have adopted several religious edicts that have translated into these traditions.
‘KOM BISMILLAH LEKKER SAAM’
During Ramadaan, the Bo-Kaap community >viÃÌÃ > Li>ÕÌvÕ LÕµÕiÌ v LiiwÌÃ Ì >Ì V> be derived from this fourth pillar of Islam. Firstly, the exchange of delicacies amongst neighbours facilitated by attired little girls and boys traversing the cobbled streets of the Bo-Kaap remain a sight of deep cultural appreciation. Indeed, the publication of the popular Boeka Treats recipe books stemmed from a concern that the famed Cape Muslim culinary heritage needed to be recorded for posterity, else it would be lost over time.
EXTENDED FAMILIES
Secondly, extended families of the Bo-Kaap getting together over weekends to break fast is a tradition that breaks down barriers and fosters family ties. Once more, the impulse of giving and sharing is strengthened, while affording guests the opportunity of frequenting any of the ten Bo-Kaap mosques, as detailed in the Taraweeg Surveys compiled by the Boorhaanol Islam Movement.
When Ramadaan occurred during the winter months, a group of Boorhaanol congregants distributed dates and Islamic literature to motorists, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, stuck in «i> ÕÀ >Ìi >vÌiÀ ÌÀ>vwV >} ÕÌi}À>V Ì -ÌÀiiÌ° /> >LÕÌ ÌÕÀ} }iÌÀwV>Ì ÌÃ head! Moreover, Muslims from the rest of Africa as well as the Middle East participated in iftars held every evening at the Boorhaanol Islam Mosque. A wonderfully cosmopolitan gathering where several neighbours in the mosque vicinity contributed treats every night to complement the convivial atmosphere.
STREET BOEKA
The Bo-Kaap community also found political expression by way of the Street Boeka to } } Ì ÃÃÕià i *>iÃÌi] }iÌÀwV>Ì] >` corruption. With Wale Street’s famous brightly coloured houses looking on, the camaraderie created by hundreds of men, women and children chanting popular slogans and various athkaar in unison before breaking their fast, left many with goosebumps and enthralled by its powerful message. The Street Boeka has since been extended to more localised areas in Bo-Kaap like Voetboeg Street, where all the residents have their communal Boeka.
ORPHAN PROGRAMME
Furthermore, orphans from all over the Peninsula are traditionally treated by the
À >> Ã> ÛiiÌ Ì > vÕwi` `>Þ of adventure and expeditions, culminating in a Boeka and dinner to remember on the weekend closest to the 15th of Ramadaan. In a childcentred ceremony thereafter, they are encouraged to express themselves naturally, concluding with an individualised goody bag to accompany them home.
Finally, the Boorhaanol Islam Movement has for the past 25 years distributed soup and nutritious meals to hundreds of the poor and needy on a daily basis in Ramadaan. Thanks to the community support as well as the hard work of the many volunteers at the Boorhaanol Centre, they ensure that the spirit of giving and sharing is alive and well in the Cradle of Islam, Alhamdu lillah.