The Colourful Houses
Cape Town
South Africa
2016

The Story of Bo-Kaap
the vibrant neighborhood with the famed buildings

The earliest development in the Bo Kaap area was undertaken in the 1760s by a chap called Jan de Waal. Subsequently, the area became known as Waalendorp. It has also been known as the Malay Quarter, the Slamse Buurt, and Scotcheskloof. Translated from Afrikaans, Bo Kaap means 'Above the Cape'

https://curlsenroute.com/the-colourful-houses-in-cape-town-the-story-of-bo-kaap/

The story behind these colourful houses in Cape Town is as bright and refreshing as its sight is.

The History of Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap was formerly known as the Malay Quarter as it was inhabited by Cape Malays. Those were slaves who were brought from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the rest of the African continent to work in the city.

Now, you’re probably wondering why the houses are painted in all these bright shades. Back in the 1760s, Cape Dutch and Georgian rental houses, known as “huurhuisjes”, were built and leased to slaves. The rule was that all houses, that are aligned by cobbled roads, had to all be white. But when this rule was lifted and the slaves became able to purchase their houses, they decided to paint them in the brightest colors as a metaphor for freedom!

The story behind these colourful houses in Cape Town is as bright and refreshing as its sight is.
The History of Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap was formerly known as the Malay Quarter as it was inhabited by Cape Malays. Those were slaves who were brought from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the rest of the African continent to work in the city.
Now, you’re probably wondering why the houses are painted in all these bright shades. Back in the 1760s, Cape Dutch and Georgian rental houses, known as “huurhuisjes”, were built and leased to slaves. The rule was that all houses, that are aligned by cobbled roads, had to all be white. But when this rule was lifted and the slaves became able to purchase their houses, they decided to paint them in the brightest colors as a metaphor for freedom!