Thinker and performer William Williams has revealed to the public a secret family history that has been preserved in the Williams family for centuries, interwoven with a golden thread. This took place at the Castle of Good Hope on Saturday.
Her performance titled 'The Miedoura' will be part of the Institute of Creative Arts Festival of Live Art in 2026. It is dedicated to the legacy of her great-grandmother, Haji Gadiji Shadli Avaldien.
'A Miedoura' represents a traditional headpiece of the Cape Malay people, made from soft fabrics such as silk or chiffon, and embroidered with gold or silver. Historically, these headpieces were worn by brides on their wedding day, used to name newborns, and worn by women to celebrate Mouloud or after returning from pilgrimage.
In the 1920s, Gadija traveled to Mecca, where she mastered the complex weaving technique from Indonesian women living in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning to District Six, she visited the Queen of England, possessing knowledge that made her the only person in Cape Town capable of weaving the sacred cloth.
Williams told IOL: 'It was in the Kaaba that she vowed to keep this craft for her entire life, and she did.' She added that her great-grandmother could not pass on her knowledge further. Williams believes that as a creator, this gives her a sense of pride in her work as a writer, performer, and film director, knowing that she has deep, refined artistic roots.
Gadija's relics were passed down through Williams' cousins, her mother, and ultimately to Williams herself. Williams noted that she feels a deep connection to this history because she understands what it means to be an artist and what it takes to dedicate oneself to an art form.
Williams also emphasized that she identifies with the deep spirituality of her great-grandmother. She said that she tries to work in a divinely conscious manner in a space where her religion is not the dominant culture, and therefore must act delicately.
The performance also honors the legacy of her great-grandfather, Imam Shadli Avaldien. He served in the mosque on Chippini Street (Auval Mosque), built in 1794, which houses South Africa's oldest handwritten Quran.
The event, curated by Themba Stuart, will also feature a performance by the Protea Malay Choir. Williams told IOL: 'This work embodies a layer of alchemy that is transcendent, a mixture of narrative, scent, sound, and visuality that will transport all viewers and energetically change the space.'
The ICA Festival promotes interdisciplinary creative research focused on social justice, addressing themes of equality, restitution, and subjectivity through public interventions. Williams, who is an Emmy judge whose documentaries cover District Six and Bo Kaap, applied to participate in this year's festival independently.
In conclusion, Williams stated: 'This work embodies a female historical narrative that has not been documented or academically recorded.'