PRESERVING CAPE HERITAGE AND CULTURE THROUGH EXPLORING VISUAL ARTS AND EDUCATION

Using my cultural heritage as safety and a valuable tool to move forward (PART 1)

"Heritage serves as a bridge, connecting us to past generations while guiding us toward a future of mutual respect and cooperation. In this way, heritage becomes not just a relic of the past, but a dynamic force for social cohesion and progress."

THROUGH YOUR PEN

Aaliyah Ahmed

9/3/20242 min read

Dear readers,

Writing to you from a cozy café in Brooklyn, NYC, I ponder the concept of "heritage" from a distance – far from my home, community, and my own heritage. With the onset of heritage month, childhood memories, departed loved ones, and the distant past come flooding back. I fondly recall the vibrant community I left behind in Cape Town, with its diversity and warmth. While I could delve into the significance of heritage and its various forms like tangible and intangible heritage, these definitions are easily accessible online. Instead, I'd like to share how my unique heritage, as a half Indian, half Cape Malay, Muslim raised in Cape Town, has enriched my life and shaped my experiences as I've journeyed through different places.

When contemplating the concept of "heritage," our minds typically drift towards the past, prompting reflections on the origins of traditions and the factors preserving them through time. It is acknowledged that certain facets of heritage may erode with evolving societal values or shifting needs and desires. Nevertheless, in the face of changing social, political, or economic landscapes, there is a tendency to cultivate fresh cultural heritages as a means of adaptation. While heritage is fundamentally connected to the past, its significance lies in the present only if individuals and society continue to appreciate the aspects derived from it. An example of this will be illustrated a bit later.

As a passionate advocate for culture and heritage preservation, I've encountered individuals who don't hold sentimental value for heritage and culture in their everyday lives, and that's perfectly fine. Nevertheless, I want to highlight how my own heritage has provided me with solace during times of significant change.

In 2021, I tied the knot and relocated to Cairo, Egypt, a nation renowned for its rich heritage and cultural impact globally. Egypt is famously known for its Ancient Egyptian history, Pharaohs, Pyramids, and profound Islamic heritage influenced by various empires, rulers, and leaders. In contemporary Cairo, a unique culture and heritage are emerging, intertwined with remnants of its ancient past scattered throughout the city. And although my life experienced a great change, I constantly realised how my heritage equipped me for that change in a city like Cairo.

We believe in the distinctiveness of our heritage, yet it's remarkable to discover that beneath every tradition and culture, there are shared values, motivations, and origins. This realisation has allowed me to embrace various cultures and their heritages by recognising similarities to my own community in each one.

Heritage has the ability to act as a vehicle to new experiences and to explore the diversity and similarity of different communities. And although we should celebrate our heritage, we can utilise our heritage to find commonality, understanding and empathy among diverse groups. By delving into the rich tapestry of our backgrounds, we can uncover shared values, traditions, and stories that bind us together. Heritage serves as a bridge, connecting us to past generations while guiding us toward a future of mutual respect and cooperation. In this way, heritage becomes not just a relic of the past, but a dynamic force for social cohesion and progress.


Kramat of Imam Shafi

My mom and I dancing at one of the notorious birthday celebrations