The history of the Kaapse Klopse is unfortunately poorly documented, but it can be traced back to the Dutch colonial era. The Dutch celebrated the New Year for several days, and slaves were given a day off on January 2 – their only day off in the year – and celebrated the New Year in their own way, singing and dancing in the streets. This day became known as the Second New Year – Tweede Nuwe Jaar.
Slavery was abolished in the Cape Colony in December 1834, but former slaves continued to celebrate the New Year in the same way. Soon, the Second New Year became a multicultural celebration centered in Cape Town’s Malay Quarter (Bo-Kaap). Because slaves had been brought to Cape Colony from different parts of the world (Africa, the Malay Archipelago, India, the Middle East), each ethnic and cultural group brought in its unique traditions.
The celebration was also heavily influenced by American minstrel shows that toured South Africa in the 1890s; they were performed by mostly white actors who wore blackface makeup and portrayed racial stereotypes of African Americans. The locals incorporated elements of the songs performed by American minstrels into their music, creating the unique sound of South African ghoema music. They also adopted the tradition of painting their faces for performances (just not in black, of course).
Organized carnivals began to appear in Cape Town in the late 1880s. Over the next few decades, several competing New Years carnivals were organized in different parts of the city. During the apartheid era, the authorities did everything in their power to ban minstrel parades. As a result, the minstrel carnival almost died out, but was revived in all its glory after the fall of apartheid. Today it is a major cultural event that attracts up to 100,000 spectators every year.
Every year on January 2, about 20,000 minstrels in extravagant costumes and face paint march through the streets of Cape Town, playing banjos, drums and trumpets. The minstrel parade consists of several dozen troupes, each playing its own music and marching separately so as not to drown each other out. Each group consists of dancers called voorlopertjies (literally “forerunners”), who lead the way, and musicians who follow along and provide the soundtrack. Some troupes play traditional English and Afrikaans songs, while others perform popular hits. For spectators, the parade is like watching 50 or 60 individual performances.
Admission to the parade is free but seating in the grandstands is limited, so most people watch the parade standing in the streets. The Grand Parade is followed by street parties and other celebrations that last well into the night. After the carnival, the minstrel troupes take part in a competition held at the Athlone Stadium every Saturday for five weeks in January and early February. Troupes compete in several categories, ranging from Best Dressed Troupe to Champion of Champions.
Photo: Cape Town Tourism
