When theory meets praxis – enhancing heritage management through practice-led research at Great Zimbabwe World Heritage property
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 12 May 2023
Issue publication date: 8 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline and reflect on the new research agenda for the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage property. This research agenda was jointly developed by academics and practitioners from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) and the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) respectively. This Research-Practice Team was put together for the Heritage Place Lab (HPL), a pilot project of the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership programme.
Design/methodology/approach
A series of steps were undertaken to come up with research priorities and a new research agenda that are presented in this paper. The HPL project involved online workshops, due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, that were held between September 2021 and April 2022. The HPL methodology involved six assignments that were based on the Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit 2.0 (EOH) which was being designed by UNESCO and its Advisory Bodies. This toolkit encouraged the team to establish site-specific management issues and research needs. The toolkit helped the team to have a detailed appreciation of the site's Outstanding Universal Value as well as other heritage values of national and local importance. The toolkit also involved the mapping of site attributes and multiple actors as well as the analysis of governance and legal frameworks. The toolkit also required the team to identify factors affecting the heritage property.
Findings
The Research-Practice Team highlighted challenges that resulted from the legacy of ill-informed research activities and conservation efforts at the World Heritage property. It became more apparent that the site managers were prioritizing the physical fabric of the site at the expense of the spiritual aspects. Lack of coordination among the actors was also undermining the governance structure. Four thematic strands which included local values and intangible cultural heritage elements; heritage governance; climate change and environmental sustainability and incorporation of local knowledge systems were identified for further research.
Originality/value
The paper is an outcome of collaborative efforts that were done by academics and practitioners. Researchers and site managers at Great Zimbabwe had hitherto worked in silos. The majority of previous and ongoing research on the World Heritage property falls short of addressing the dire management challenges. The paper is an attempt to broaden the scope in terms of the management of the site. In the past focus has been on the monumental aspects of the site with specific reference to the dry-stone walled structures. However, in this instance, the Research-Practice Team has integrated new interests such as the intangible aspects of Great Zimbabwe, spirituality and community beneficiation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors owe a debt of gratitude to the Heritage Place Lab 2021-2022 organising team and esteemed facilitators. They allowed authors' team to join the pilot phase of the HLP which had other Research-Practice teams from across the world. Joining the HPL programme broadened the authors' horizons on the intricate matters of World Heritage management. An earlier version of this paper was presented during the round table discussion at the Conference on Interculturalities, organised by the Association for Critical Heritage Studies, which was hosted by the Centro de Estudois Interculturales e Indigenas at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile in December 2022. ICCROM provided financial assistance that allowed one member of this research practice team to attend the round table discussion in Santiago, Chile. Great Zimbabwe University also partly funded the costs to attend the round table in Chile. The authors are grateful for the feedback and comments that were received during the round table discussions. The authors are also grateful to the anonymous reviewers who provided valuable comments on the earlier drafts. Last but on least, the authors would like to thank the Guest Editor of this volume for their patience even during the times that the authors failed to meet some of the deadlines.
Citation
Thondhlana, T.P., Mukwende, T., Machiridza, L.H., Musindo, T.T., Tevera, G. and Maduro, N. (2023), "When theory meets praxis – enhancing heritage management through practice-led research at Great Zimbabwe World Heritage property", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 428-446. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-08-2022-0149
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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