Heritage Day in South Africa is when every cultural group comes together to share, display and celebrate their family traditions and ancestral heritage.
They celebrate this day by wearing cultural clothing, participating in cultural events and coming together as a community to protect their cultural identity.
Speaking to Salaamedia regarding their 2nd annual Gadat program, Arashaat Lawrence, a member of the Riverlea Dhikr Jamaat, mentions that his organisation aims to educate individuals on the history of the Malay people and the formation of the Gadat. The Gadat is a religious activity practised by Malay families and communities throughout South Africa.
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Malay Cultural Practice
According to Lawrence, Gadat has been around since the time of slavery in South Africa. It was taught and performed as an alternative form of prayer by the enslaved people since they could not openly practice their religion out of fear of persecution by their overlords.
”They couldn’t practice Islam openly during the day, but then … [a different] form of Dhikr was brought to us. And up until today, you can call any youngster from the Shafi household, and they will be able to recite those citations that Imam Al-Gadat practised”, Lawrence said.
It is a form of prayer that families of the Malay communities have performed up until now. However, Lawrence states that the lack of knowledge and understanding about the Gadat often discourages people from attending the Gadat at home or in the Mosques.
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Preserving Malay Culture
There have been many traditions lost over time. But on Heritage Day, we understand the importance of cultural preservation.
Lawrence believes the Gadat program is essential for various Malay communities to learn about their heritage and to teach it to their families.
He mentions that it is essential for the youth in society to learn about their traditions and embody them. Because in time, it will be their duty to carry it on to the next generation of Malay people.
“Now we have the youngsters to include because they must take this forward. Because … we don’t want it to die out … Ultimately, we want it to stay there with the idea that it will help them [throughout their lives]”, Lawrence said.
The Gadat program will be conducted annually in various areas in South Africa. Lawrence invites families and community members to celebrate the Malay culture by coming together and participating in the events.
“We value the opportunity because it gives us a chance to come back to our traditions, our culture and what we grew up in”, Lawrence said.
