South African News

In pictures: Cape Malay Choirs light up the streets of the Bo-Kaap

Oluthando Keteyi|Published

The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.

Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Media

The Bo-Kaap's streets vibrated with the sounds of marching Cape Malay Choirs as over 30 groups participated in the age-old "nagtroepe" (road march) tradition, ringing in the new year. 

The Nagtroepe, or Cape Malay Choirs, which traditionally march on New Year’s Eve, are not linked to any of the minstrel associations or their events.

This unique spectacle, which dates back to the era of slavery in the Cape and has organizers tracing their roots to the mid-19th century, draws hundreds of spectators from both near and far annually to mark the end of the old year and the welcoming of the new.

The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.

Here are pictures from The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town, taken by award-winning photographer Ayanda Ndamane.

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The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.
The Cape Malay choir Road March through Wale Street in Cape Town.

Related Topics:

cape malay choir