Durban
Indian Quarter

Indian lady in Durban In South Africa today lives approximately one million Indians with Durban having the highest number of Indian inhabitants. Their ancestors were contracted around the year 1860 as workers for the sugarcane fields of Natal. After their contracts had expired, the majority of them opted to stay in the country. Many Indians established themselves as merchants and artisans in Durban.

The Indian population consists of Hindus - 70%, Muslims - 25% and Buddhists - 5%. They have largely kept their cultural identity and contribute to the special multicultural atmosphere of the city. Particularly the Hindus hold spectacular, colourful celebrations of their most important annual holidays like the Deepvali festival in November or the Kavadi festival - in honour of the god of health and happiness - in January.

In Grey Street and its by-streets - situated north-west of the city centre - are the oldest shops and stores of the Indians. Here one can find very good bargains - fabrics and clothes, shoes and leathergoods, jewellery and curios or electrical and electronic appliances. The place for Indian spices is the Victoria Street Market. Here you can buy cumin, saffron, tandoori and any curry mixture in any variation and quantity.

The dominant building in Grey Street is the Juma Mosque with its two golden minarettes. The biggest mosque in the southern hemisphere - built in 1927 - has space for some 4500 worshippers. In the adjacent Ajimery and Madressa Arcades you find an extensive Oriental market with a wide variety of goods on offer.

Visitor information and further attractions in the Indian Quarter: INFO

Top left: Indian lady in festive gear. Top right: Grey Street with Juma Mosque. Bottom left: Spice vendor in the Victoria Street Market. Bottom right: Fabrics offered in the Madressa Arcades.

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Durban Indian Quarter

Durban
Indian Quarter