What do you call the thing you picked and where does it go?
The furniture piece I chose is a brass bed with porcelain knobs and it belongs in the bedroom.
Why did you pick this furniture piece?
I was browsing through some of my childhood pictures and when I saw this specific one, the memories started rushing back to me. I decided that this would be the perfect furniture piece to share on Kanala Stories.
Explain what this furniture piece means to you or your family/friends?
As you can see in the picture, this brass bed had a special place in the room I shared with my older (and only) sister growing up. I laughed when I looked at it again now years later. It was a part of my childhood, so it definitely means a lot to me. It was a classic bed style – mostly because I recall seeing similar ones at my cousins’ houses too. I guess it was quite “trendy” back in the day. In fact, the bed used to belong to my aunt. She first got it when she was about 14 years old. Which means the bed itself has a rich history in our family.
Tell me a story around this furniture piece? A memory, a thought or something that happened recently.
Do you see the porcelain knobs, with the pink floral pattern painted on it, attached to the bed frame at the back? Well I recall how I used to lean on the back frame as a child looking for something to keep me busy. But I just used to end up twisting those pretty porcelain knobs round and round. I remember it always made this clinging sound as I twisted. I’m not even sure why I found that fun but I guess as a child, even the smallest things are the most entertaining.
How does this piece of furniture make you feel?
Happy. Nostalgic. When I look at this picture this is how it makes me feel. Looking at my sister and I sitting on it with our matching pajamas, a few of our many toys and the purple fairy bedding covering the bed, I can’t help but smile.
Do you think this piece of furniture represents us as Coloureds? Why?
Well as I mentioned, it was quite a common furniture piece amongst our families. I’m not sure if I can say it specifically represents us as Coloureds but most Coloureds may be able to relate to having had this type of brass bed in their homes growing up.
How would you describe your interpretation of Colouredness?
For me, it’s not just about seeing someone and saying they are Coloured. It is more about the type of things we can identify with. Things we relate to. Whether it’s the way we converse or what we eat or how we did certain things growing up.
What other things strongly represent Colouredness?
I can’t think of anything specific but as I mentioned, maybe it’s the stories we share that make us Coloured.
What does it mean to be Coloured in South Africa now?
I find it hard to describe. We are a part of South Africa. So it definitely means something to be Coloured.
What is your relationship with your Colouredness?
It’s always been a part of me and still is. Well yes… I’d say I’m coloured. There are certain things I still do that may be referred to as a part of Coloured culture but it is not something I am ashamed of.
