And, I'm back ... (That new years resolution I made last year flew out the window with the first bar of chocolate at ten past midnight 01 Jan 2008)
The taksi gaachey is an integral part of life in Cape Town. He is an institution by himself, avant garde poetry by just existing..
In Cape Town, the public transport systems are not very well developed. Most commuters make use of the buses, taxi's and trains. The most popular form of public transport is the taxi. Now this taxi is unlike the ones you will find anywhere else in the world. It usually is a 12 to 15 seater mini van, which has been unusually pimped. Chrome wheels, dvd players, and loud, loud, loud stereo systems characterise the typical taxi.
The popularity of the taxi probably rests with the fact that it is one of the cheapest and fastest ways of getting to your destination. Its also an adrenaline-filled death defying trip. Taxi drivers have no clue what the rules of the road entail, and indicator lights are much like an appendix to them, there, but useless. They brake in the middle of busy intersections in peak traffic to pick up passengers and defy speed limits, they tailgate, and overtake normal cars even if they have to drive into oncoming traffic. The taxi drivers however, are not the point of this post.
Back to the point. The Gaachey is the taxi drivers assistant. He is responsible for taking the taxi fare from commuters, and providing them with change. He also makes sure that the taxi is filled up for each trip, and this is where he becomes so innovative and worth mentioning. The Gaachey remembers his destinations and walks along the 'pick-up' zones chanting them like a litany or song. One often hears ' Ethlown, Mowbreeey, Kaaap!' They use the sweetest language to get pretty women to drive with them, and are of great assistance to pregnant and older passengers.
The Gaachey is a Cape Town institution, one that makes me smile every day, as his chanting fills the air when I drive by...
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Ramadhan in Cape Town
Of course, I wouldn’t disappoint.
First, a history lesson. (Jaja and Shale I know you are going to Wikipedia this, so if I make any mistakes please feel free to correct) Muslims first came to Cape Town in a great number about 310 years ago, from the Malay archipelago, as slaves. They were valued among other things, as healers, craftsmen, and obviously for their petit beauty. A later group was exiled to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company. The exiled group consisted mainly of religious leaders and political dissidents. They were given a higher status by colonialists, and so amassed wealth, which was then taken from them during the Apartheid era.
The first Muslims that came to the Cape lay down the traditions, that are still followed today. They brought with them Malayu, which eventually worked its way into the grammar of modern day Afrikaans.
So, what effect did all of this have on Ramadaan in the Cape? How do I experience Ramadaan, and 3eed here?
Ramadaan is a special time that the whole of Cape Town embraces, Muslim, or not. Large supermarkets have special prices for food that people eat often like bananas, milk and rice. One large supermarket chain (something like Tesco’s or Tamimi) even has a drive to sponsor some poor families in the community so that they can have a better Ramadaan. At the major universities, exam times are shuffled, so that students don’t write while they have to Iftaar. Colleagues are always sensitive to a fasting person, and apologise if they have to eat in front of that person. Muslims in Cape Town come together to give meals to the poor, and have a city-wide Qara2at Al Quraan competition.
A large contributor to the spreading of the news about events that are happening, is the Muslim radio stations. They play the Adhaan (all year round) five times daily, and keep the entire community updated with news of deaths and births, birthdays and prayers, and also have a range of normal programmes like sports and social commentary.
The day is pretty normal, up early for Su7oor. My Su7oor menu sounds large, but I only eat little portions of everything. I have eggs, low glycaemic index bread, vegetables, oatmeal, fruit, water, and yoghurt. Then its off to a eight(sometimes ten or twelve hour) day at work, and then home. Iftaar is milk, or soup, or a fruit. And tarawee7 after that. By the time I get home finally I’m knackered, and its even worse when I’m invited out, because then its back to the hosts home for dessert.
Tradition here dictates that the younger children take savoury or sweet platters to their neighbours in exchange for something from the neighbours table. In recent years the trend has been away from oily and sweet foods to more healthy treats. Traditional treats include samoosa, boeber, soji, falooda, and oh, too many more to mention. (May I add that they are all equally delicious). The night before 3eed, most Cape Townian Muslims gather in an area called Three Anchor Bay, to sight the coming of the moon. They have a mass Iftar, and then perform Maghrib salaah together. Last year it was estimated that 7000 Muslims showed up. People then stay for a picnic if the next day is 3eed (with shisha too!) and go home for tarawee7 if it is not 3eed.
3eed in itself is a big deal, like it is elsewhere in the world. Most people apply for leave from their work for 3eed, and then work over Christmas. Others get the day off. New clothes are bought, curtains are changed, houses are aired, and loads of food gets prepared. Kids get some money as an 3eediya (or 3eed gift).
On the morning of 3eed, most men go to the masjid. After masjid, they visit the graves of those who have passed on in their families. Others go straight home for a breakfast of pie and other yummies. Then people usually get dressed and go to greet each other. Lunch is usually at the family home, with brothers and sisters and uncles and everyone. In the evenings, the older folks sit together, while the younger ones group up with friends and go to ‘model’ their 3eed clothes at the biggest malls or go for coffee together at the beach. This is the best people watching time, as some guys even hire flashy and smart cars to take their friends out with.
And that everyone, is Ramadaan and 3eed in Cape Town.
For Shale:
some of the terms that you may not be familiar with:
Iftaar: dinner
Qara2at Al Quran: Reciting of the Quran in a melodious fashion
Adhaan: call to prayer
Su7oor: breakfast
Tarawee7: special evening prayer after the last prayer of the night. It lasts about two hours.
Samoosa: a triangular folded pastry, usually savoury
Boeber: a sweet, spicy, warm, milk drink, with nuts and raisins
Soji: a sweet pudding
Falooda: a pink, fragrant cold milk drink
Maghrib: the prayer after sunset
First, a history lesson. (Jaja and Shale I know you are going to Wikipedia this, so if I make any mistakes please feel free to correct) Muslims first came to Cape Town in a great number about 310 years ago, from the Malay archipelago, as slaves. They were valued among other things, as healers, craftsmen, and obviously for their petit beauty. A later group was exiled to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company. The exiled group consisted mainly of religious leaders and political dissidents. They were given a higher status by colonialists, and so amassed wealth, which was then taken from them during the Apartheid era.
The first Muslims that came to the Cape lay down the traditions, that are still followed today. They brought with them Malayu, which eventually worked its way into the grammar of modern day Afrikaans.
So, what effect did all of this have on Ramadaan in the Cape? How do I experience Ramadaan, and 3eed here?
Ramadaan is a special time that the whole of Cape Town embraces, Muslim, or not. Large supermarkets have special prices for food that people eat often like bananas, milk and rice. One large supermarket chain (something like Tesco’s or Tamimi) even has a drive to sponsor some poor families in the community so that they can have a better Ramadaan. At the major universities, exam times are shuffled, so that students don’t write while they have to Iftaar. Colleagues are always sensitive to a fasting person, and apologise if they have to eat in front of that person. Muslims in Cape Town come together to give meals to the poor, and have a city-wide Qara2at Al Quraan competition.
A large contributor to the spreading of the news about events that are happening, is the Muslim radio stations. They play the Adhaan (all year round) five times daily, and keep the entire community updated with news of deaths and births, birthdays and prayers, and also have a range of normal programmes like sports and social commentary.
The day is pretty normal, up early for Su7oor. My Su7oor menu sounds large, but I only eat little portions of everything. I have eggs, low glycaemic index bread, vegetables, oatmeal, fruit, water, and yoghurt. Then its off to a eight(sometimes ten or twelve hour) day at work, and then home. Iftaar is milk, or soup, or a fruit. And tarawee7 after that. By the time I get home finally I’m knackered, and its even worse when I’m invited out, because then its back to the hosts home for dessert.
Tradition here dictates that the younger children take savoury or sweet platters to their neighbours in exchange for something from the neighbours table. In recent years the trend has been away from oily and sweet foods to more healthy treats. Traditional treats include samoosa, boeber, soji, falooda, and oh, too many more to mention. (May I add that they are all equally delicious). The night before 3eed, most Cape Townian Muslims gather in an area called Three Anchor Bay, to sight the coming of the moon. They have a mass Iftar, and then perform Maghrib salaah together. Last year it was estimated that 7000 Muslims showed up. People then stay for a picnic if the next day is 3eed (with shisha too!) and go home for tarawee7 if it is not 3eed.
3eed in itself is a big deal, like it is elsewhere in the world. Most people apply for leave from their work for 3eed, and then work over Christmas. Others get the day off. New clothes are bought, curtains are changed, houses are aired, and loads of food gets prepared. Kids get some money as an 3eediya (or 3eed gift).
On the morning of 3eed, most men go to the masjid. After masjid, they visit the graves of those who have passed on in their families. Others go straight home for a breakfast of pie and other yummies. Then people usually get dressed and go to greet each other. Lunch is usually at the family home, with brothers and sisters and uncles and everyone. In the evenings, the older folks sit together, while the younger ones group up with friends and go to ‘model’ their 3eed clothes at the biggest malls or go for coffee together at the beach. This is the best people watching time, as some guys even hire flashy and smart cars to take their friends out with.
And that everyone, is Ramadaan and 3eed in Cape Town.
For Shale:
some of the terms that you may not be familiar with:
Iftaar: dinner
Qara2at Al Quran: Reciting of the Quran in a melodious fashion
Adhaan: call to prayer
Su7oor: breakfast
Tarawee7: special evening prayer after the last prayer of the night. It lasts about two hours.
Samoosa: a triangular folded pastry, usually savoury
Boeber: a sweet, spicy, warm, milk drink, with nuts and raisins
Soji: a sweet pudding
Falooda: a pink, fragrant cold milk drink
Maghrib: the prayer after sunset
Sunday, July 01, 2007
This one's for women
To all the wonderful amazing women out there who make it through the many difficulties we face..to the survivors (hning), the challengers (jaja, taqo, fishy), the penguins (grabmyboobs!), and all the rest, you are special. And whatever you do, remember your worth!
A woman has strengths that amazes man
She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens
She holds happiness, love and opinions
Smiles when feeling like screaming
Sings when she feels like crying,
Cries when she is happy
And laughs when she is afraid
She fights for what she believes in
And stands up against injustice
There is only one thing wrong with her...
She forgets what she is worth..
A woman has strengths that amazes man
She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens
She holds happiness, love and opinions
Smiles when feeling like screaming
Sings when she feels like crying,
Cries when she is happy
And laughs when she is afraid
She fights for what she believes in
And stands up against injustice
There is only one thing wrong with her...
She forgets what she is worth..
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