Overview
Identifiers
Record Administration
Location
Location
- City of Cape Town
Gradings
Grading
Grading by: South African Heritage Resources Agency
The kramats provide a story of the foundations of Islam at the Cape but they are more than religious symbols and sites but reflect on the forced migrations, banishment, slavery, colonialism and the resistance against it. For South Africa after the end of apartheid, nation building became the unifying process embedded on the nation’s history of resistance. The history of the kramats is and of itself one of resistance as these were slaves, regular people, convicts, prophets that played a prominent part in the foundations of Islam, a religion that was suppressed until 1804 in South Africa. It therefore builds on the South African narrative as Indigenous resistance and forced migration are paired processes of a colonial past that are considered direct precursors to the struggle against apartheid.The motto on the national Coat of Arms of South Africa means “diverse people unite.” Another country that is linked to South Africa through its experience of colonialism and relationship with the VOC, Indonesia has the motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which means Unity in Diversity. The similarity is no mere coincidence as it emphasises the relationship that these two countries have in overcoming differences established through years of violence experienced through colonialism and its hope for a nation to unite in a common sense of belonging. It is a recognition of the ties that bind us as former colonies and a reminder of the networks established that banished and trafficked people across the world. The kramats provide a representation of resistance but as well as inclusion and that branch for unity not only as a reflection for South Africa and Indonesia but to all countries affected by colonialism.
Declarations
Declaration
By virtue of the powers vested in the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), in terms of section 27 (5) of the National Heritage Resources Act (No. 25 of 1999), SAHRA hereby declares seven Kramats as liste in the Schedule as part of the “Circle of Tombs”, Western Cape as National Heritage Sites.
Statement of Significance
“A prophecy made over 250 years ago said that there would be a “Circle of Islam” around the Cape. It is believed that this Circle is formed by the shrines of Islamic Saints, the tombs of the Auliyah (Friends of Allah), and some of South Africa’s most influential spiritual leaders.
Referred to Mazaars or Kramats, these shrines are regarded as highly sacred places that represent the advent of Islam to southern Africa (a religion that was suppressed in South Africa until 1804); and are symbolic of the resistance against religious, social and political oppression by the Dutch, slavery and British Colonisation both in South Africa and in Indonesia Archipelago.
These shrines are places of sanctity that provide spiritual benefits to those who visit and partake in the remembrance of the Auliyah. The Kramats inspire reverence and peace, not because of architectural achievement or aesthetic appeal, but because of the character, knowledge, and spiritual presence of those buried there. These Saints, further, contributed to shaping the cultural character of the Cape and the traditions regarding the history of these Saints have been passed from generation to generation mainly through word of mouth. Subjected to harsh forms of cruelty and torture for their roles in resisting oppression by the Dutch, and British both in Indonesia and at the Cape, the Saints never wavered and continued to teach unity and peace amongst different faiths. In keeping with these teachings many non-Muslims also visit the Kramats regularly.”
Media
Media
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