Let the ancestors rest in peace? New challenges for cultural heritage management in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Cultural heritage management and archaeological research in Zimbabwe have been the byproducts of colonialism. This dates back to the beginning of the present century and, for the greater part of the time, management of the cultural heritage and archaeological research were done without the involvement of the indigenous populations. When the country became independent from British rule in 1980, however, the new political environment placed new responsibilities on heritage managers. Communities living in areas where the sites to be managed are located want to be involved. In some cases, the nature of their involvement conflicts with current professional heritage management. Yet, at the same time, the guiding philosophy of heritage management is that the local people should not be alienated from their past. The new environment has therefore brought new challenges for heritage managers. Discussion centres on the conflict between official heritage management policy and practice on the one hand, and the views of local communities on the other. Particular focus is on the management of sites of the Great Zimbabwe tradition. Other areas of conflict are subsequently considered, including political interests and tourism. In the final analysis, the different. ways in which heritage managers have tried to reconcile the issues are discussed.