20 Nov 2014 | By Sun International
Cape Minstrel Carnival
New Year’s in Cape Town is so nice we celebrate it twice! Party the night away at The Table Bay on December 31st, before heading into the heart of the Mother City for Tweede Nuwe Jaar (second new year) on the 2nd day of January to experience one of the most famous events in Cape Town: the Cape Minstrel Carnival.
This spirited celebration is not only a banging beginning to the New Year but is a historical occasion that dates back to old slave traditions in the days of the Cape Colony.
If you’re looking for things to do in Cape Town that are unique to South Africa’s favourite destination, the Kaapse Klopse is one of the Cape Town festivals that you can’t miss.
Celebrating freedom
Historically, Cape slaves were only given a day off each year, usually on the 2nd day of January when their masters were recovering from the festivities of the day before. They celebrated this freedom with abandon by singing and dancing in the streets. Some 200 years later, the festival is Cape Town’s longest running street party and marks the culmination of exhausting months of preparation and rehearsal in the klopskamers (clubhouses).
Watch from the sidewalk as thousands of gaudily dressed minstrels march through the city from Zonneblom to the Bo-Kaap in well-rehearsed troupes performing their signature ghoema musical style. It’s a foot-tapping day – expect to hear traditional slaves tunes mixed in among modern pop hits.
Family traditions
Participation is traditionally a family affair with membership being passed down from one generation to the next. While the klopskamers do welcome other races and cultures, for most members, the parade and competition is simply something that’s in their blood.
Every year, from as early as 6 months in advance, bands begin rehearsing and choirs practicing, while new uniforms are furiously created to outdo those from the year before (and to outshine other klopskamers).
Style influences
It’s been suggested that black American minstrels influenced the Cape slaves at the time. These visiting musos, who arrived on ships like the Alabama, painted their faces black and white and brought with them upbeat melodies. The locals incorporated this musical style into their repertoires, resulting in a blend of African, European and Asian influences in what is today the uniquely Capetonian sound of ghoema.
Like many aspects of the carnival, even the musical instruments have changed over time. String and wind instruments were played until the 1950s when they were replaced by more affordable brass marching instruments.
Let the band play on!
After the Kaapse Klopse parade, festivities continue in the form of a major competition that runs every Saturday until mid-February at the Athlone Stadium in the Cape Flats (where most of the participants are from). The contest sees over 40 klopska