The Bo-Kaap quarter of Cape Town was originally settled by the Cape Malays, the Muslim slaves and indentured servants from Indonesia, India and other parts of Asia and Africa. They did not own the small Georgian style cottages but rather "leased" the homes from their bosses. The law at the time strictly stated that the houses had to be painted white, just like the Dutch architecture of their masters.
So when slavery was abolished and the inhabitants were finally free, they were able to open shops in Bo-Kaap and make their own money. And when they bought those very same houses, they understandably went crazy with color!
See?
No comments:
Post a Comment