Heritage Day (Afrikaans: Erfenisdag) is one of the newly created South African public holidays. It is a day in which all are encouraged to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs, and traditions that make up the nation of South Africa.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the 24th of September was formerly known as Shaka Day, in commemoration of the legendary Zulu king, King Shaka Zulu. When the proposed Public Holidays Bill before the New South African Parliament omitted Shaka Day, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a South African political party with a large Zulu membership, objected to the bill.
A compromise was reached when it was decided to create a day where all South Africans could observe and celebrate their diverse cultural heritage.
In an address marking Heritage Day in 1996, former President Nelson Mandela stated:
“When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation.”
In the vein of celebrating shared culture rather than focusing on cultural divisions, a recent initiative by the Braai4Heritage calls upon all South Africans to celebrate their common roots by having a braai (barbeque) on Heritage day.
The idea has had some high profile converts, the most notable being that of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who in 2007 was made the National Spokesperson for “Braai Day.”
Over the past few years South Africans have been re-branding Heritage Day as “National Braai Day”. Jan Braai has started a revolution to unite South Africa over a braai. There even is a National Braai Day Anthem. Find out more at braai.com.
Across race, language, region and religion, we all share one common heritage. It is called many things: Chisa Nyama, Braai and Ukosa to name few.
Although the ingredients may differ, the one thing that never changes is that when we have something to celebrate we light fires, and prepare great feasts. We call on all South Africans to unite around fires, share our heritage and wave our flag on 24 September every year.
We liken this initiative to annual celebrations cherished by other leading nations of the world; Thanksgiving for Americans, St Patricks Day for the Irish, Bastille Day for the French and Australia Day for Australians.
Braaiwords:
There are even words that are unique to braais:
aai: a braai in the summer aka – a braai without the br!
abbraaiviation: a very short braai
abraaimowitz: a Jewish braai
Asskebab: If somebody makes an ass of himself/herself at a braai you call them an Asskebab.
Blitz: Although this is a brand-name, it is used as a universal term in South Africa for fire lighters of any kind or brand. A frequently asked question at many a braai: “where is the blitz?”
BMW (Braai Met Wiele): Braai met wiele wat hier daar of enige plek gesleep kan word om te braai.
Boerrie: Braaied boerewors in a bread roll with home made tomato & onion sauce- similar to a hotdog but worlds apart in taste.
bokdopentjop: appropriate for a ‘bring and braai’ – you may bring your bok (babe), your dop (drinks) and tjop (meat of choice)
Braai passenger: Person that arrives for a braai without any meat but joins in the eating.
Braaibroodjies: Toasted sandwiches made with cheese, tomato, onion and a dash of chutney, then slowly braaied in a closed grid on light coals until golden brown on the outside and the cheese has melted on the inside.
Braaidsmaid: Female performing supporting role during a braai. e.g. making salad, marinating meat, making braaibroodjies.
Braainie: A counter revolutionary who is against braaiday.
Braaistard: The guy at the braai who steals your drink.
Braaiswaer: Your braai companion if he is married to your sister
Brandoffer: Serving a braaied meal to a person as an offer of peace and reconciliation.
Chuckie braai: Die tyd van die maand wanneer niemand geld het nie, so ons koop die goedkoopste vleis en gaan braai dit op die beach met toasties.
Clutchplaat: Erg verbrande vleis
Cremate: As die vleis hopeloos te lank op die rooster gebly het en dit ‘n goeie plaasvervanger vir jou Grasshopper se sool kan wees.
Sources:
www. braai.com
Wikipedia.org
www.sahistory.org.za
