Now, shebeens are legal and are an important part of our cultural heritage. They appeal to the youth and are popular amongst tourists, especially when visiting areas like Soweto. I believe they are similar to “juke joints” which were popular in America’s South.
Philip and I came across a conference venue the other day, and they had turned their pub area into a “shebeen” which they have found very popular! They have decorated it with old bits and pieces and it has quite a lot of character. The menu is authentic township food with “chakalaka” (a spicy vegetable dish served with pap!), amasi ( thick sour milk) pap (a thick porridge made from ground corn) and bbq’d meat.
We had an amazing afternoon, wandering around and looking at everything. One of the things they do, which tickled me no end, it fill an ANCIENT washing machine with ice and put beers inside it to keep cool. Like a huge ice bucket!
They served our drinks in old tin cups!
I think we might just go back there!
5 comments:
That looks cool! My daughter and son-in-law would love to visit a shebeen like that. I am a little less keen. The old stick-in-the-mud me!
What a very cool place!
Very interesting turning their restaurant into a shebeen. I've always thought something like that will go down well with people, specially tourists.
how interesting. I love the mismatched furniture.
No kidding this was like a history lesson and I loved it! I learnt about the apartheid at school but not heard if this!!!
Thank you, I am so glad it is integrated within your culture =)
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