There are many traditions within the Muslim community which are unique to Cape Town, and cannot be found, even in other parts of South Africa. The departure and return of the Hujaaj (those who undertake the annual pilgrimage of Hajj) deserves a mention.
The Covid-19 pandemic saw the cancellation of the Hajj for Muslims from outside of Saudi Arabia for two consecutive years. This year the Hajj was resumed with reduced quotas for the number of pilgrims allowed. South Africa’s quota was reduced to 1 132 pilgrims.
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC), currently administers a registration list of South African Muslims wishing to perform their pilgrimage.
The publication of the accreditation lists is followed with great interest and excitement for prospective pilgrims. In Cape Town in particular, it is the start of a tradition that is unique. Although the Hajj journey is a personal experience, the news that someone has been accredited is met with joy and reverence by family, friends and strangers alike.
For the pilgrim it is the start of a whirlwind of arrangements and preparations for the 4-6 week journey. Leave from work must be arranged, passports and vaccinations need to be sorted, arrangements have to be made for the care of children while the parents are away, people and family need to put in place to run businesses, etc.
The Hujaaj draws up a list of family and friends that they will go and “greet”. This entails them going to visit a person and informing them they will be departing for Hajj.
Family and friends volunteer to drive them around to deliver their greetings. In recent years, many Hujaaj post their “greeting card” on social media platforms. This will inform the community of their departure date and time, date of return, contact details and address.
This type of greeting has been warmly received by the community, as people are aware of the constraints of time and the cost of driving from house to house to physically “greet”.
From about 10 days before the Hujaaj depart, friends and family start to visit the to “greet” them (say goodbye). The traditional saying is: “Os gaan die Goejaajies groet” (we are going to greet the Hujaaj). Tables are laid with savouries, cakes and other niceties prepared by the family. Often these things are also donated anonymously, to treat the visitors. There is usually also a family lunch a few days before departure.
Hujaaj can easily have a few hundred people coming to “greet” them over this period. Thikr Jamaah’s (prayer groups) visit those departing and render the most beautiful, melodious recitals at their homes.
The Hujaaj also have a traditional “inpakkery” (packing their luggage) with close family, friends and (usually) a spiritual leader.
Here, the belongings that the Hujaaj will take with them on their journey, are individually packed into their suitcases by family members with a duah/prayer recited for their safe travel.
In Cape Town it is also customary to hand the Hujaaj an envelope with a monetary donation (slaawat) when you say goodbye. There is no set amount to this donation, and the idea is to financially help the pilgrim on his journey.
For South Africans, Hajj 2022 has been the most expensive ever. Generally, the cheapest packages started at R85000 for the bare necessities of a two-week trip. Many a Hujaaj will tell you that all these “slaawatte” donations were part of the reason they were able to perform Hajj.
On the day of departure, family and friends gather to see off the departing Hujaaj. This is an emotional time for close family. Tears flow freely, especially when parents say goodbye to their children and grandchildren.
The airport is filled to capacity when Hujaaj leave.
At Cape Town International Airport one can clearly see when it is Hajj period. The same happens when they return, with loved ones eagerly awaiting their arrival at the airport and at home. The Hujjaaj enjoy exalted status on their return home and visitors come from far and wide to hear them share their Hajj experiences.
In a time when expedience trumps the experience, I sincerely hope these traditions are maintained for many more generations to come.
The Hujaaj are the chosen guests of the Almighty and it is befitting that they are honoured by the community is this manner.
www.inniekaap.co.za; [email protected]
* Nazeem Davids
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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