Heritage Month is an opportune time to explore one of Cape Town’s most cherished treasures, the Circle of Kramats. These sacred shrines represent the enduring legacy of Islam’s introduction to the Cape.
With recent recognition as a national heritage site, the Circle of Kramats stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of faith and community.
The history of the Circle of Kramats is intertwined with the Dutch colonial era, marked by the invasion of regions such as India, Ceylon and Java. Local resistance leaders and communities found themselves banished to the Cape, bringing with them their rich Islamic heritage.
This period also witnessed the enslavement of people of Malay, Indian, Javanese, Bengalese and Arabian origins, who, despite their hardships, played pivotal roles in establishing the first Muslim communities in Cape Town.
During this time, figures like Sheikh Abdurahman Matebe Shah and Sayed Mahmud arrived in the Cape in 1667. These revered ‘Friends of Allah’ laid the foundation for Islam’s growth, offering spiritual refuge and guidance to fugitive slaves and locals.
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One of the most iconic figures, Sheikh Yusuf, rests in Faure (Macassar). A noble birthright from Macassar, he was exiled to the Cape in 1693 by the Dutch. Sheikh Yusuf’s teachings sowed the seeds of the first true Muslim community in the late 1690s, as he provided shelter to enslaved people who had escaped.
The strategic positioning of these kramats fulfils a prophecy dating back 250 years – a ‘circle of Islam’ would form around Cape Town.
Starting at Signal Hill with four separate kramats, this spiritual circle continues to Oude Kraal, then Constantia, and culminates at the famous kramat of Sheikh Yusuf in Faure. Robben Island’s ancient tomb completes this historic circle.
Robben Island, known for its political prisoners, now harbours a kramat, a solemn symbol of Islam’s resilience in the face of oppression.
Constructed by apartheid-era prison authorities in the 1960s, it honours Tuan Matarah, or Sayed Abduraghman Motura. He was known for his healing powers, offering solace and comfort to fellow prisoners during times of illness.
In 2021, a significant milestone was achieved when ten of the 31 kramats in Cape Town were declared national heritage sites by the South African Heritage Resource Agency (Sahra).
Also read: Power to the Muslim community after kramats declared SA National Heritage Site
This achievement was the result of tireless efforts by the Cape Mazaars Society (CMS) and Vidamemoria heritage consultants. These kramats, the final resting places of leaders like Tuan Guru and Sheikh Yusuf, are now protected, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
As part of South Africa’s diverse heritage, this declaration offers a profound sense of acceptance and a reminder of the Mulism community’s contributions to Cape Town’s history, especially in the face of colonialism.
As Heritage Month unfolds, the Circle of Kramats in Cape Town stands as a lovely reminder of the rich Islamic heritage that has shaped the city’s history.
These sacred sites, now officially recognised as national heritage sites, are a good nudge towards acknowledging the faith, culture and community spirit of Cape Town’s Muslim residents.
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Also read:
Should seven more Kramats receive National Heritage Site status?
Picture: Peter Strydom / Unsplash
