Attractions
Kaapse Klopse South Africa
Kaapse Klopse (or simply Klopse), formerly known as the Koon Carnival and officially the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, is a Cape minstrel festival held annually on 2 January in Cape Town, South Africa. It is also
referred to as Tweede Nuwe jaar (Second New Year). Around 13,000 minstrels take to the streets in brightly colored clothes, or carry colorful umbrellas or play an array of musical instruments. Miners self-organize into klopse ("club" in Kaapse Afrikaans, but more accurately translated as group in English). This custom has been preserved since the middle of the 19th century.
People see this festival as a ritual of renewal that is rooted in the Cape's history. Events associated with Klopse during the festive season include competitions for Christmas choirs, Cape Malay choirs and Cape Minstrel choirs.
The festival was known as the Coon Carnival, but local authorities have since changed the festival's name to the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, as the term Coon is considered an ethnic insult.