The Klops Kamer feature will focus on events and happenings in the world of the minstrels, placing the spotlight on this beautiful Cape Town culture…
The minstrel parade is only a few months away, but already, teams are busy preparing for the annual spectacle and to fight for the coveted “Carnival Kings” crown.
Every year, thousands of people from all over the world flock to the city centre on January 2 to catch a glimpse of their favourite minstrel troupe.
The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, popularly known as the “Kaapse Klopse”, is a celebration held on January 2, lighting up the city with performers in bright colours and costumes, singing and dancing, showing off stunning displays and playing beats that get the crowd on their feet.
Thousands of minstrels from various troupes join the parade, playing music on trumpets, banjos and the “ghoema” drum, a traditional drum made from small wooden barrels that were once used in the time of slavery.
Cape Town’s very first minstrel carnival was showcased at the old Green Point Track back in 1907.
However, the tradition started much earlier, in the 1600s, when the Dutch East India Company set up refreshment stations for its ships along the shores of Table Bay.
The fertile soil beneath Table Mountain was ideal for settlers and the company imported slaves, mainly from East Africa, Madagascar, and the Bay of Bengal to work the land for them.
As slaves were granted a day off on January 2, they used this time to dress up and celebrate, painting their faces and singing in the streets, as they had one day to be free.
This gave rise to the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar carnival, which still runs strong until today.
All around Cape Town, minstrel teams have already started preparations, fine tuning bands and choirs, tailoring the final parts of their gear and making sure their team stands out.
In this new feature, we invite the minstrel community to join us in The Klops Kamer, to share their stories with us.
The Klops Kamer will go behind the scenes of the minstrel world, taking a look at how things operate.
If you have a story to tell, pictures to share or updates of your team, email tauriq.hassen@acm.co.za and let’s give the minstrel community a platform to shine.
