Watch Cape Town’s Famous Minstrels in Kaapse Klopse, Tweede Nuwe Jaar Carnival Celebrations
CAPE TOWN – More than 13,000 dancers took part in Tuesday’s famous Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year) celebrations through the streets of Cape Town. Oday Mtour, who recently moved to South Africa from Jordan, was there to enjoy and capture the atmosphere on film – watch below. The annual 02 January Minstrels Parade – also […]
CAPE TOWN – More than 13,000 dancers took part in Tuesday’s famous Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year) celebrations through the streets of Cape Town. Oday Mtour, who recently moved to South Africa from Jordan, was there to enjoy and capture the atmosphere on film – watch below.
The annual 02 January Minstrels Parade – also known as the Kaapse Klopse Carnival – attracted thousands of spectators – believed to be over 50,000; with many camping on the sides of the road since Monday to ensure the best view of the action.
Families who’ve been attending the Kaapse Klopse Carnival for decades pass on the tradition to their children. It’s a tradition rooted in the slave culture of the 1700s when slaves were given just one holiday per year – on 02 January – and would celebrate by dressing up as minstrels (medieval musicians) and making the most of it with a colourful, musical Carnival parade from District Six to the City Centre.
Today it’s become a flamboyant symbol and celebration of life in the Cape… and a fantastic way to welcome in the New Year with music, bold colours, parasols and hats, face painting and costume preparation that begins months in advance.
Watch Cape Town Tweede Nuwejaar Carnival Celebrations 2018
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The Making of the Minstrels – how the colourful faces of the Kaapse Klopse are created