Unfulfilled promises? Heritage management and community participation at some of Africa's cultural heritage sites

Bibliographic Data

ID5700728
AuthorsShadreck Chirikure (0000-0002-2183-4253, University of Cape Town, corresponding author), Munyaradzi Manyanga (Tshwane University of Technology), Webber Ndoro, Gilbert Pwiti (University of Zimbabwe)
Year2010
Volume16
Issue1-2
Pages30-44
Publication date2010-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Heritage Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1352-7258 • E-ISSN: 1470-3610
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13527250903441739
OpenAlexW2000281129
LanguageEN
Citations received133
References cited17

The application of participatory management has had varied success in the field of heritage management depending on the context in which it has been applied, and the evidence from some heritage sites in sub‐Saharan Africa reveals mixed results; some far from satisfactory. Most of the goals – particularly those aimed at involving local communities in decision making in heritage resources – still remain unfulfilled and at best experimental. This contribution deals with these issues within the context of case studies drawn from different areas of the sub‐continent. The case studies demonstrate that the discourse of community participation is sometimes overly ambitious in its intents and, from a practical point of view, is not easy to apply. This is because communities are neither universal nor homogenous. Furthermore, many professionals pay lip‐service to the whole concept of participation because the interests of local communities and those of professionals do not always coincide. Also, in some situations, the historical and socio‐political environments militate against the concept. Therefore, given the varied context and range of management systems, as well as types of cultural heritage on the sub‐continent, one cannot be prescriptive; the local situation should determine the nature of participation and/or levels of engagement needed

Archaeology · Business · Citizen journalism · Cultural heritage · Cultural heritage management · Environmental ethics · Geography · Industrial heritage · Local community · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Law · Marketing