Safeguarding Practices for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tanzania: National Vs Local
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Safeguarding Practices for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tanzania: National vs Local Perspectives Richard Nandiga Bigambo A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage School of History and Cultures College of Arts and Law University of Birmingham 2019 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. I dedicate this work to my parents Mr and Mrs B. Nandiga ‘All that I am, I owe that to you’ ABSTRACT Recent decades have seen a growing interest by individuals, government, and international organisations to safeguard Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Such efforts arose from the perceived impact of globalisation and modernisation towards this form of heritage among different communities in the world. Most of the previous research has focused on why ICH is in danger and ways that can be used to remedy the situation. Few efforts have been directed towards understanding how the local community ‘cultural practitioners’ have traditionally been safeguarding their ICH, and how such knowledge can be integrated into the present-day safeguarding initiatives. Thus, this study sought to explore how the Jita have safeguarded their traditional ceremonies and rituals (as one category of ICH) and how such information can be used in solving the challenges facing the safeguarding initiatives at the national level in Tanzania. Data for this study was collected through observations, interviews, and documentary reviews. A total of 123 respondents were interviewed from the Antiquities Department, National Museum and House of cultural, Village Museum and Arts and culture Departments, and the Jita community in Tanzania. In general, there are different challenges that affect the safeguarding efforts at both local and national level. The study demonstrates that in order to implement an effective safeguarding practice of ICH in Tanzania, there is a need to integrate the safeguarding practices at the two levels. Such an integration should seek to use the best attributes present at each level. This act will not only improve the means used in safeguarding ICH but will also ensure active involvement of the community in the safeguarding process. Further, I argue in this study that the definition of ICH should move beyond the UNESCO discourse to include everyday practices that are valued by a community and can be used as means of identity. Also, the safeguarding of ICH should be a community-based initiative in which the cultural bearers and their safeguarding knowledge take the leading role. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The successful completion of this thesis is not due to my effort alone, but with the help and support of institutions and other individuals as well. First and foremost, I would like to thank the almighty God whose blessings have always been with me and my family. Am also indebted to my employer the University of Dar es Salaam who granted me the study leave; and my sponsor, the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission (UK) for their financial support. Special thanks to my supervisors, Dr John Carman and Dr Helle Jørgensen. It is from their tireless instructions, technical advice, intellectual discussions, constructive criticisms, and encouragement that I was able to complete this study in a timely manner. No amount of words will be enough to convey my gratitude for their support and contributions. Secondly, I would like to thank my family, who have all played a significant role in the accomplishment of this thesis. These include (but are not limited to) my parents Mr. and Mrs. B. Nandiga; my partner Gladness W. Mwikwabe and my two Children (Christine and Leon); and Mr. and Mrs. S Mruma. Their constant support, prayers, and words of encouragement throughout the time of my study was highly valued and appreciated. Lastly, I would like to thank the staff from the University of Dar es Salaam’s Archaeology and Heritage Studies department, and at Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage. I would also like to extend my special thanks to fellow PhD researchers from the University of Birmingham, who I interacted with throughout the course of my study; my three research assistants (Abel Mkama, Boaz Nyamkomora and Baraka Shadrack) with whom I spent a lot of time in the field; the respondents from the two ministries (Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports) particularly National iii Museum and Antiquities Department staff; Arts and Culture Department Staff; and those from Mwanza and Mara regions. I cannot mention all of you by name in this tiny space, but it is from your willingness to find time to talk to me, that enabled the smooth collection of the required data for the accomplishment of this study, I appreciate all of you. On top of that, I would like to thank all who assisted me in one way or another throughout the course of this study. It is impossible to name each one of you, all I can say is ‘ASANTE SANA’. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................. ix LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................ x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER ONE: .................................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Justification of the Problem ............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Objective of the Study ..................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Overall Research Methodology ....................................................................................... 7 1.4 Definitions of Key Terms ................................................................................................ 8 1.6 Structure of the Thesis ................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER TWO: INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND SAFEGUARDING PRACTICES: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ................................................................................... 17 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Understanding Intangible Cultural Heritage .................................................................. 19 2.3 The intangibility of Cultural Heritage ............................................................................ 24 2.4 Traditional Ceremonies and Rituals as ICH .................................................................. 28 2.5 Management of Cultural Heritage: Traditional vs Modern practices ............................ 32 2.6 Challenges for Safeguarding ICH .................................................................................. 45 2.7 Chapter Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 55 v CHAPTER THREE: INTANGIBLE HERITAGE AND SAFEGUARDING PRACTICE IN TANZANIA ......................................................................................................................................... 57 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 57 3.2 General Background on Tanzania .................................................................................. 57 3.3 The Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tanzania ..................................... 61 3.4 Intangible Cultural Heritage among the Jita .................................................................. 74 3.5 Chapter Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 78 CHAPTER FOUR: FROM THE DESK TO THE STUDY AREA: METHODS, DATA AND RESPONDENTS ................................................................................................................................. 79 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 79 4.2 Research