Kramat of Sayed Jaffer
 The Kramat of Sayed Jaffer is a historic Sufi shrine located in Bakoven, near Victoria Road on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles mountain range in Cape Town, South Africa. The site marks the burial place of Sayed Jaffer, a 17th–18th-century Sufi saint and Sheikh of the Alawiah tariqa, who was exiled by the Dutch East India Company to the Cape of Good Hope.[1][2]
SignificanceHistorical importanceLocal history suggests that Sayed Jaffer was banished to the Cape in the 18th century. His tomb was discovered only at the end of the 19th century and remains a site of reverence for local Muslims.[3] Religious and cultural importanceSayed Jaffer’s Kramat is part of Cape Town’s 'Circle of Kramats', a collection of Sufi shrines around the peninsula that were declared national heritage sites in 2024 for their significance in preserving Islamic history and culture in South Africa.[1][3] Location and description The shrine is accessed via a short footpath off Victoria Road, ascending stone steps into a ravine typical of the local terrain.[3][4] It consists of a raised grave on a concrete platform—the original tomb structure was damaged during floods in the early 1970s.[5] The site contains at least four graves, including those of Sayed Jaffer, his disciples, and followers, with brightly coloured chadars (cloth coverings) placed atop the graves as signs of veneration.[6] Modern useRestoration and protectionThe shrine is maintained by the Cape Mazaar Society, an NPO focused on preserving and promoting the Kramats of the Western Cape. The shrine’s location in a ravine near mountain streams makes it vulnerable to flood damage, prompting conservation efforts.[4][5] Visitor accessVisitors reach the shrine via a footpath off Victoria Road, passing through a serene ravine. The shrine is accessible year-round, though caution is advised during rainy periods due to flood risk.[2][6] Gallery
References
External links |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portal di Ensiklopedia Dunia
