Cape Town - The Griqua Royal House, in collaboration with the Castle of Good Hope has commemorated 149 years of Afrikaans, hosting a festival in honour of Adam Kok I under the theme “Die Griekwa Is Nog”.

President of the Griqua Royal House, Aaron Messelaar, said the event on August 17 commemorated August 6, 1813, and the history of the Griquas, “from Bastards to Griqua identity”, and how they worked with other groups like the Malay people.

“We celebrate this event every year in honour of Adam Kok I who brought us together as our forefather. Adam Kok I came into the Castle as a slave, he earned the surname Kok because he was the chef there.

“This year we included the Malay people, whose forefathers were also slaves because that is where the Afrikaans language started. The slaves developed the Afrikaans language among themselves in the kitchen to communicate with each other.

“On August 14, Afrikaans reached 149 years as a recognised language.”

The event had speakers from the Afrikaanse Taal Raad, represented by Dr Conrad Steenkamp, who spoke about Afrikaans among the Griqua community; and how it was developed as a kitchen language among the Khoi, slaves and Bastards.

CEO of the Castle of Good Hope, Calvyn Gilfellan, gave an overview of the history of the Castle and why the minstrels, brass band and Malay choir entertained the audience.

Homage was paid to Adam Kok I on Saturday when the first kitchen at the Castle of Good Hope was renamed after him.

Gifellan said: “The Castle was the place where the Namas, Griquas and Bastards were oppressed, so hosting the event affords the Castle the opportunity to redeem itself for what it has done to the indigenous people in terms of disposing them off their land, heritage and language. That is why we are always keen to work with the different Khoi and San groups.

“The sad thing about colonial governance is that it destroyed religious practices. Afrikaans and Afrikaaps are both a mixture of people of enslaved backgrounds, mixed with Dutch and mixed with Khoi. Therefore our young people need to know their roots, history and their identity.”

Cape Argus