Echoes of a Forgotten History

Acrylic on Canvas
 
W60cm x H80cm x D1cm
 
Echoes of a Forgotten History: The Interwoven Roots of Islam and the Afrikaner Folk

Amidst the blue skies and grand mosque in the background of this painting lies a nearly forgotten history of the Afrikaner Muslim. It speaks of a time where European settlers in South Africa fled their homelands to escape religious persecution, many of whom were already Muslim. Islam is not a new concept to Europe.

In the South African Archives, there are records of all the intermarriages that took place during this time. These are the forefathers of the Afrikaner Folk. The Afrikaans Language itself was first written in Arabic Script, and these written texts still exist to this very day.

On the left side of the painting, we see a tiny African mud house, symbolizing the humble beginnings of this history. In the middle, two women in black hijabs face the grand mosque, paying homage to the Islamic roots of the Afrikaner community. To the right, an old farm house with a red roof represents the European settlers who intermarried with the Muslims.

In front of it all, an ox wagon or "ossewa" sits alongside Arab men and an Afrikaner Boer woman dressed in old Dutch style. This painting captures the interwoven roots of Islam and the Afrikaner Folk, a history nearly forgotten.

However, there is a growing sense among many in the Afrikaner community to return to their Islamic roots. The painting tells a story of unity, of different cultures coming together and blending seamlessly. It reminds us that history is a tapestry of our collective experiences, and it is up to us to preserve and celebrate it for generations to come.