Matriarch Julaiga and the story of a flower dynasty’s struggles

Abstract

Julaiga Gomez is a typical example of one of the matriarchs in the history of the Cape flower selling tradition. Herself a third generation flower seller, she is currently the head of a flower selling dynasty consisting of her own children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a total of 156 individuals. This article is the second in a series focusing on the “living legacy” of Adderley Street’s unique flower sellers, their history, and the challenges facing their future. Through a study of one member of one such a family, a picture of one of Cape Town’s tourist attractions, the flower market on Trafalgar Place, is painted. Not only is a unique cultural historical feature of the Cape highlighted, but the cultural history of one aspect of an important segment of the Cape’s diverse population, namely that of the Cape Malays is addressed. More importantly, the challenges they face to overcome certain obstacles are highlighted. These families are dedicated to maintain Adderley Street’s flower market as a viable market, for their own families’ sustenance, but simultaneously maintaining an
important aspect of Cape Town’s cultural and social history.

Key words: Adderley Street, Cape Malays, challenges, cultural history, dynasty, family history, flower market, flower sellers, matriarch, microhistory.