The management of indigenous living heritage in archaeological world heritage sites: a case study of Mongomi wa Kolo rock painting site, central Tanzania
Date
2009-03-05T12:21:52Z
Authors
Bwasiri, Emmanuel James
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Abstract
Mongomi wa Kolo is a hunter-gatherer rock art site within the Kondoa district of
Central Tanzania. The site is part of a large group of rock art sites in Kondoa that
were collectively declared a National Monument by the Antiquities Act of Tanzania,
enacted in 1964 and amended in 1979. In July 2006, the World Heritage Committee
inscribed the rock art of Kondoa as a World Heritage Site, acknowledging its
international significance, its authentic beauty and living heritage.
Mongomi wa Kolo is a focal point for regular ritual practices among the Bantulanguage
speaking Warangi and Wasi/Waragwa communities in Kondoa District,
Central Tanzania. The Warangi and Waragwa migrated to this area at the start of the
third century. Since this time they have been using Mongomi wa Kolo for traditional
ritual ceremonies. Currently, the management of Mongomi wa Kolo has sought to
control the ritual ceremonies of Warangi and Wasi/Waragwa communities because
some rites are damaging the archaeology and rock paintings of the site. This control
has led to a conflict between local ritual practitioners and authorities responsible for
heritage management.
Management of living heritage is new to the Tanzanian cultural heritage authority.
This study explores the implications of including living heritage in the management at
the archaeological World Heritage Site of Mongomi wa Kolo. Examples are drawn
from other World Heritage Sites that manage living heritage. Specifically this study
considers how best to integrate living heritage within the management of the
Mongomi wa Kolo rock painting site. It then discusses the challenges of adapting the
Tanzanian Antiquities legislation to cover living heritage. This study will be achieved
through a review of the history of the management of living heritage, international
and national legislation protecting living heritage, and interviews undertaken with
elders, traditional practitioners, communities around Kolo and nearby villages, and
with staff of the Antiquities Department.
Description
Keywords
Kolo World Heritage Site, Kondoa, Tanzania, living heritage, cultural resources management, rock art, archaeology