Ziwa National Monument: Its significance to the local people Hangs delicately in the balance

Shumba, Missias (2003) Ziwa National Monument: Its significance to the local people Hangs delicately in the balance. In: 14th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Place, memory, meaning: preserving intangible values in monuments and sites’, 27 – 31 oct 2003, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract (in English)

The discussion in this paper explains why the present generations of communities surrounding Ziwa National Monument (a 17th century agricultural settlement in north-eastern Zimbabwe) have very little reverence and respect towards the traditional sacredness of the site. The paper shows that for a long time during the pre-colonial period and for some decades well into the 1900s, Ziwa was an important spiritual and cultural centre and the local people attached high traditional values and looked to it for their identity and ethnic origin. The crux of the discussion points to successive episodes of change mainly in the regional and global political and socio-economic trends over the past two centuries as the main reason for the present phenomenon of community attitude towards the site. Coupled with this the development and growth of diverse perceptions especially those associated with the spread of Christianity and other ideas orchestrated by Westernisation and Globalisation may be blamed for the contemporary status quo. National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (hereafter NMMZ) site conservation policy is also cited among the factors that contribute to the lack of preservation of the site’s intangible values. It is in the light of this background therefore that efforts should be made to promote a restoration of the old traditional values among the local people so as to enhance effective conservation practices at the monument.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Authors:	Authors Email Shumba, Missias UNSPECIFIED
Languages:	English
Keywords:	historic monument; significance; local community; economic development; tourism development; interpretation; intangible heritage
Subjects:	E.CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION > 09. Social and economic aspects of conservation O.INTANGIBLE HERITAGE > 01. Generalities L.PRESENTATION AND TRANSMISSION OF HERITAGE > 02. Interpretation I.CULTURAL TOURISM > 02. Tourism management J.HERITAGE ECONOMICS > 03. Economic values of heritage H.HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 09. Historic buildings
Name of monument, town, site, museum:	Ziwa National Monument, Zimbabwe
ICOMOS Special Collection:	Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS General Assemblies)
ICOMOS Special Collection Volume:	2003, 14th
Depositing User:	Jose Garcia
Date Deposited:	14 Dec 2010 18:02
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2011 19:16
References:	Beach, D. (1995) Archaeology and History in Nyanga, Zimbabwe. Paper presented at the 10th Pan African Archaeological Congress, Harare, Zimbabwe. Chirau, S. (1994) Terraces built to create space. The Manica Post, Friday, July 29. Chirau, S. (1995) Mount Muozi a preserve for SaUnyama people. The Manica Post, Friday, July 7. Chirau, S. (1995) Traditional shrines deteriorating fast. The Manica post, Friday, June 30. Chirau, S. (1995) Pit village a unifying symbol. The Manica Post, Friday, June 9. Randal-Maciver, D. (1906) Medieval Rhodesia. Macmillan: London. Summers, R. (1971) Ancient Ruins and vanished civilisations of Southern Africa. Bulphin: Cape Town.
URI:	https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/494

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