The communities of Kramat, Macassar, Sandvlei and surrounds celebrated their annual Moulood un Nabi: the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October.
The glorious occasion started with a horse parade in honour of the senior women of the Kramat on Saturday. Afterwards the traditional rampies sny was executed by the women, young and old, at the local masjid.
Rampies sny is a Cape Muslim tradition in which women gather at the local mosque to cut lemon-scented leaves, fold them into a special paper or material and gift it.
The auspicious event continued with the recitation of narrations/stories related to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the Sunday.
Zainuneesa Benjamin (70), affectionately known as Aunty Barbie, is the oldest inhabitant of Kramat and the current carer of the Tuang Yusuf Kramat. In honour of her and other senior women, they were brought from Tuang Yusuf Kramat to the Nurul Latief masjid by horse and cart.
This tradition started approximately a century ago, when people from adjacent towns such as Eerste River, Faure, Sandvlei and Macassar would travel by horse and cart to Kramat to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The women would dress up in traditional moderings (scarves) bought in Makka and worn on their return from hajj. The children’s attire included flower girl dresses and traditional misfals (headgears).
The recent Covid-19 pandemic put restrictions on events such as traditional, religious gatherings.
So, this year the revival of Moulood un Nabi brought much joy to the Kramat community and it was evident in the way the women displayed their enthusiasm throughout weekend’s festivities.
Every community member played a role in the success of the event and everyone is looking forward to keeping this tradition alive.
Nazeem Anthony, a Sandvlei resident and ardent horse lover, said: “Building of horse carts is a passion and hobby started by my late father Gamat Noor Anthony (hulle het my pa Boeta Noortjie genoem). Growing up, it was just a hobby, but over the years it turned to more than just that – now making horse carts is my passion and my kids’ passion as well. I have shown them the ropes to building horse carts so they can live out their grandfather’s legacy.”
