A mixed-race boy, blending Malay and East African heritage, Cape Town, 1849 (lithograph)

The portrait depicts a mixed-race boy, exemplifying the diverse population of Cape Town, blending Malay and East African heritage. Carrying a market-basket, he wears traditional Malay attire against the backdrop of Hottentot Square and Keisergracht. Malay children are noted for their beauty, particularly their large, bright eyes. It's charming to observe them dressed like miniature adults on festive occasions, guided by proud parents. The young boy in the wide conical hat epitomizes this phenomenon. Malay girls, with their distinct attire and hairstyles, add to the cultural richness of the community. Most Malays in Cape Town are fluent in Dutch, with some also proficient in Arabic and Malay. DISCLAIMER: THIS DIGITIZED RESOURCE CONTAINS COLONIAL-ERA MATERIALS WITH POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE AND ATTITUDES. APPROACH WITH HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND DISCRETION