The rich cultural life of slaves from the Indian Ocean region is the theme of a new permanent exhibition opening on 10 September at the Iziko Slave Lodge in Adderley Street. ‘Slaves at the Cape: geographical links and cultural affinities’ focuses on slaves from regions around the Indian Ocean such as Madagascar, Mozambique, India, Ceylon and the Indonesian Islands. Curator Gerald Klinghardt contends that slaves brought little with them other than their bodies, knowledge and memories. The African and Asian objects displayed are directly and indirectly associated with the areas of origin of the slaves who were incorporated into the colonial population at the Cape. These objects reveal the rich diversity of cultural backgrounds of the slaves.

Although abused and forced to live a barely human existence, these people - many of whom were captured during raiding expeditions or military conquests - brought with them both tangible and intangible evidence of a diverse cultural heritage. This manifested itself in the language, fashion, craftsmanship, cuisine and even architecture of the Cape and South Africa.

The Iziko Slave Lodge is open weekdays from 10:00–16:30 and Saturdays from 10:00–13:00.

For further information, contact Gerald Klinghardt at Tel. 021 481 3836 or email gklinghardt@iziko.org.za

A temporary exhibition entitled ‘Afro-Brazil: Images of African Slaves in Brazil’ opens on 9 November 2007 and runs until 31 March 2008. This exhibition is the brainchild of Dr Stefan Oschmann, head of the Africa Music Festival in Würzburg and comprises images of Brazilian slaves of African origin. Watch press for details.

Enquiries: Fiona at Tel. 021 464 1268 or email fclayton@iziko.org.za.

Image:
A 20th century Indonesian shadow puppet in the ‘Slaves at the Cape’ exhibition. Photograph: Jos Thorne, 2007

return to press release page>>