Fourteenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

This study explores the complex relationship between physical spaces and cultural practices within the Zanzibari Muslim community of Chatsworth, South Africa and is rooted in the emergent field of spatial humanities. It investigates how Chatsworth’s physical environment, including border spaces with the neighbouring predominantly large English-speaking Indian and (much smaller more scattered) isiZulu-speaking African communities, shapes cultural practices and influences the ancestral language of the Zanzibari Muslims, Mukua. Using a post-colonial theoretical lens, the research sheds light on the intricate interplay of space, culture, and language in Chatsworth’s diverse spatial dynamics. The interaction of cultures and languages in shared spaces provides a unique context for understanding the adaptation and attempts of preservation of languages in communities that are in close proximity to multicultural spaces. The study sheds light on the role of space in cultural preservation, offering insights into the dynamics of a multicultural neighbourhood and the cultural practices and language of the Zanzibari Muslim community in Chatsworth. Understanding the interplay of space, culture, language, and post-colonial legacies in contemporary multicultural societies is crucial for comprehending these dynamics. Methodologically, to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics mentioned, cultural mapping techniques are employed. Qualitative Geographic Information System (QGIS) is also used to visually represent and analyse the spatial distribution of cultural practices and language within a community.