Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post provides information and videos of the annual Kaapse Klopse (Cape Town, South Africa Carnival) which is held on January 2nd.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAPE TOWN CARNIVAL
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaapse_Klopse
The Kaapse Klopse (or simply Klopse) is a minstrel festival that takes place annually on 2 January and it is also referred to as Tweede Nuwe jaar (Second New Year), in Cape Town, South Africa. As many as 13,000 minstrels take to the streets garbed in bright colours, either carrying colourful umbrellas or playing an array of musical instruments. The minstrels are self organised into klopse ("clubs" in Kaapse Afrikaans, but more accurately translated as troupes in English). Participants are typically from Afrikaans-speaking working class Cape coloured families who have preserved the custom since the mid-19th century.
People consider the festival a rite of renewal that has been shaped by the Cape's history. The events that are associated with Klopse in the festive season include competitions for the Christmas Choirs, Cape Malay Choirs and Cape minstrel choirs.
Under apartheid it was called the Coon Carnival by Capetonians, but local authorities have since renamed the festival the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival as the term coon is racist and derogatory.
History
On the eve of 1 January, people will gather in the Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter in Signal Hill) to await the Tweede Nuwe Jaar (2 January) with the songs of Malay choirs and ghoema drums ushering in the dawn of a New Year.[1] During the 19th century, the New Year was celebrated by the Dutch and was considered to be the biggest annual feast. Slaves would get a day off on 2 January and were allowed to celebrate in their own manner. Slavery was officially abolished in the Cape on 1 December 1834. The Tweede Nuwe Jaar became a celebration that united the "creole culture" in Cape Town. It is estimated that the first carnival troupe was organised in 1887.[2]
Modern Cape Minstrel tradition was influenced by the visit to the Cape by American minstrels. Old Cape minstrels, such as "The Ethiopians", had their own collection of Dutch and American songs. These minstrels used to parade the streets of Cape Town and serenade the locals with their songs. An etching by Heinrich Egersdorfer in 1884 depicted those regular marches by the local chapter of the Salvation Army, which included many of the locals, could have contributed to the style of the marching that the Klopse displays today.[2] In 1862, the then internationally renowned Christy's Minstrels visited the Cape from the United States and in 1890 Orpheus McAdoo's Virginia Jubilee Singers performed in Cape Town. The Christy's Minstrels were caucasian men and women who had blackened their faces with burnt cork to impersonate the African American slaves. Between July 1890 and June 1898 they staged many minstrel shows in Cape Town and it is believed that this contributed to the birth of the Cape Minstrels and the Coon Carnival.[1] The visitors’ influence on the Coon Carnival included the tradition of painting their faces black and whited out their eyes to look like "racoons".[3] In the 1900s, the celebrations took place at various locations. In 1907 Green Point Cricket Club organised the first formal Carnival and moved it to the Green Point Track which later became a tradition.[2] The events continued in 1908 and 1909, but discontinued thereafter until 26 January 1920, when the leader of the African People Organization, Dr A Abdurahman, re-instated the "Grand Carnival on Green Point Track".[2] In 1921, the Cape Town Cricket Club held a rival carnival in Newlands and this was the start of minstrel competitions in various venues and by various organising boards. New Year Carnivals of the 1920s and 1930s brought Minstrels, Privates, Brass Bands, Choirs and Malay Choirs together.[2]
Evolution of music
The music associated with Minstrel history and Tweede Nuwe Jaar was influenced by a variety of sources. In the 17th and 18th centuries, slaves were sent to the Cape of Good Hope from Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India and East Africa (Madagascar), creating a melting pot of culture and influence. The British garrisons of the era influenced the marching processions of the minstrel troupes and a substantial collection of songs draw their origins from the Netherlands .[4] The Cape slaves together with the local Khoisan population where known to sing in choirs as part of the celebrations. They also watched the colonial troops parade in Cape Town while singing "God save the Queen". Traces of African, Asian and European music can be heard in the Minstrel music. The "ghoema" beat reflects rhythmic similarities of India, Indonesia, Africa and the Middle East. Therefore, "Ghoemaliedjies" (Ghoema songs) are reminiscent of the music from Africa, Asia and Europe. "Melodies" and "moppies" have Western origins and were strongly influenced by African–American music (possibly associated with the exposure to the visiting American Minstrels). The cinemas across District Six also exerted the jazz influence and the re-enactment of famous actors and singers in the performances.[2] The evolution of the Cape slave "social fabric" included the development of their own music and dance which was used to grow social cohesion and celebrate whatever freedoms they were granted."...
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Witness - Cape Town Carnival
Al Jazeera English Uploaded on Jun 27, 2010
Every year on the 2nd of January the streets of Cape Town, South Africa come alive when the city's mixed-race population celebrates the so-called Coon Carnival. Its roots go back to the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. "Cape Town Carnival" follows two troupes through planning and practice to the competition phase, where they will compete in a number of different events, and passions run high.
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Example #2: Time's up for Cape Town's Anti-Slavery Festival?
TheVJMovement, Published on Apr 11, 2011
The festive tradition dates back to the time of slavery when the slaves would whiten their faces and wrote songs to mock their former masters. Previously known as the Cape Town Coon Carnival, the festival has been renamed because of contention over the derogatory term.
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Example #3: Artscape - Cape Town carnival
Al Jazeera English, Published on Apr 5, 2011
Every year on the 2nd of January the streets of Cape Town, South Africa come alive when the city's mixed-race population celebrates the so-called Coon Carnival. Its roots go back to the emancipation of the slaves in 1834.
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Example #4: Cape Town Minstrels Parade 2017 (Welcome to Cape Town South Africa)
Alistair Van Wyk, Published on Jan 2, 2017
Every year on the 2nd of January Cape Town hosts its annual Coon Carnival Parade. It is the coming together of people from the "Cape flats" performing music and dances of its culture. It parades through the streets of Cape Town in colourful attire, bow ties, hats, umbrellas and playing a host of brass instruments. Nothing is spared as the performers go all out. They sing at full voice and play their instruments at top volume.
This day is rooted in tradition of a time years ago when slaves in Cape Town where given a day off to at the start of the new year.
This short video will show some highlight of the event we had just a few days ago. I hope this will bring a smile to your face as we share some of the joy and excitement of these locals.
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Example #5: Hanover Park" Shoprite" Pennsylvanians Cape Town Carnival 2nd Jan.2018 Minstrels/Klopse/Coons
Jimmy De Kock, Published on Jan 3, 2018
Street parade by "Hanover Park Shoprite Pennsylvanians" Cape Town Street parade march 2 January 2018 .The Procession begins @ 13:30. Tradition to walk from Hanover street District Six to Bo-Kaap Rose street.Street parade Carnival by"Cape Minstrels" Wale street Bo-Kaap Cape Town Traditional Slave Walk on 2 January 2nd January is said to have been the day when many Cape slaves had time off, while New Year's Day was often a working day for slaves as the slave owners celebrated. The slaves then celebrated on 2 January, known as Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year). Dates back Since 1907. Troops in Video four from Bo-Kaap ,Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park ,Mannenberg and greater Cape Flats areas.
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Example #6: The Only White Guys At A Colored Carnival?
Adam Spires - Wannabe Vlogger; Published on Jan 5, 2018
As the only white guy there, I could not have felt more welcome and part of the bigger colored family community #onlyraceishumanrace
The Kaapse Klopse (or simply Klopse) is a minstrel festival that takes place annually on 2 January and it is also referred to as Tweede Nuwe jaar (Second New Year), in Cape Town, South Africa. As many as 13,000 minstrels take to the streets garbed in bright colours, either carrying colourful umbrellas or playing an array of musical instruments. The minstrels are self organised into klopse ("clubs" in Kaapse Afrikaans, but more accurately translated as troupes in English). Participants are typically from Afrikaans-speaking working class Cape coloured families who have preserved the custom since the mid-19th century.
People consider the festival a rite of renewal that has been shaped by the Cape’s history. The events that are associated with Klopse in the festive season include competitions for the Christmas Choirs, Cape Malay Choirs and Cape minstrel choirs. The word probably derives from the Bushman autonym !Kung.
Although under apartheid it was called the Coon Carnival by Capetonians, local authorities have renamed the festival the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival as the term "coon" is racist and derogatory.
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Example #7: Cape Town Carnival 2018
Paul Watson, Published on Mar 18, 2018
The Cape Town Carnival 2018 - “Mother City, Mother Nature” will explore what it means to be the Mother City. Explore the convergence of Nature and City embodied by Cape Town’s twin treasures: its fascinating people and natural wonders. The Cape Floral Kingdom is one of startling beauty, diversity & resilience. The people of Cape Town are just as diverse, resourceful & determined. Colourful cultures & traditions from across the continent and the globe have taken root here. This is home to the ancient & the new. Creativity springs forth to be shared with the world, a life-giving essence expressed in the celebration of Cape Town Carnival. This theme invites us to embody all that is welcoming, nurturing & abundant. Discover what makes us unique and discover why this is uniquely the Mother City. On the 17 of March 2018 spectators will have the freedom of the city streets on the Green Point Fan Walk. Over 2 000 dazzling costumed performers and musicians will take to Cape Town’s Fan Walk, entertaining viewers with floats and vibrant dance routines. The parade will be followed by a family party, showcasing some of SA's hottest musical talent
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