Heritage

The heritage of South African Indians is largely based on the culture and traditions of the indentured labourers and traders that arrived in South Africa from 1860 onwards. They were largely Hindus with smaller but equally  significant numbers of Muslims. Despite the various different linguistic groups, there are several common festivals and religious days that are still enthusiastically celebrated to this day. Many of these important occasions have become well known to all South Africans as the Indian community has become an inseparable part of the Rainbow Nation.

Indian Ancestry

• Animal Sacrifice Among Hindus in India
• Hindu Funeral Rites and Rituals
• People of Indian Origin (PIO) Card for South Africans

Festivals and Religious Days

• Shivratri - The Festival of Lord Shiva
• Purtassi
• Ganesh Chaturthi - Celebrating the Birth of Lord Ganesha
• India's Independence Day
• Navratri (Nine Nights): The 9 Goddesses and the 9 Planets
• Krishna Janmashtami - Celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna
• Diwali (Deepavali) Sweetmeat Parcels