Ghoema and Glitter

This exhibition by the Iziko Social History Collections (SHC) department showcases a part of history and culture unique to Cape Town and South Africa. It focuses on how carnival participation has been passed on from generation to generation, while tracing the carnival’s roots and its transformation over the centuries. A striking case study of how social life, politics, identity, popular culture, ritual and negotiating day-to-day life all come together can be found in the celebration of carnival and in the performances of the Malay choirs, Christmas bands and klopse troupes. The significance of carnival as celebration, as well as the context of changing expressions of identity is highlighted.

The exhibition draws on Iziko SHC’s new oral history and carnival collections, which are displayed in audiovisual stations, contemporary images and text panels.

See the Iziko website for further details and John Mason’s photoblog for fabulous pictures!

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