Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WHC Nomination Documentation File Name: 1022.pdf UNESCO Region: AFRICA __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SITE NAME: Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi DATE OF INSCRIPTION: 16th December 2001 STATE PARTY: UGANDA CRITERIA: C (i) (iii) (iv) (vi) DECISION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE: Excerpt from the Report of the 25th Session of the World Heritage Committee The Committee inscribed the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi on the World Heritage List under criteria (i), (iii), (iv), and (vi): Criterion (i): The Kasubi Tombs site is a masterpiece of human creativity both in its conception and in its execution. Criterion (iii): The Kasubi Tombs site bears eloquent witness to the living cultural traditions of the Baganda. Criterion (iv): The spatial organization of the Kasubi Tombs site represents the best extant example of a Baganda palace/architectural ensemble. Built in the finest traditions of Ganda architecture and palace design, it reflects technical achievements developed over many centuries. Criterion (vi): The built and natural elements of the Kasubi Tombs site are charged with historical, traditional, and spiritual values. It is a major spiritual centre for the Baganda and is the most active religious place in the kingdom. The Committee noted that the site combines the historical and spiritual values of a nation. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi constitute a site embracing almost 30 ha of hillside within Kampala district. Most of the site is agricultural, farmed by traditional methods. At its core on the hilltop is the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884. Four royal tombs now lie within the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, the main building, which is circular and surmounted by a dome. It is a major example of an architectural achievement in organic materials, principally wood, thatch, reed, wattle and daub. The site's main significance lies, however, in its intangible values of belief, spirituality, continuity and identity. 1.b State, Province or Region: Kampala District. 1.d Exact location: 0°20' N, 32°33' E NOMINATION OF PROPERTIES FOR INCLUSION ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST UGANDA May 2000 1 CONTENTS 1. Identification of the Property a. Country (and State Party if different) .......................................................................................................................... 3 b. State, Province or Region ............................................................................................................................................ 3 c. Name of Property ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 d. Exact location on map and indication of geographical coordinates to the nearest second ........................................... 3 e. Maps and/or plans showing boundary of area proposed for inscription and of any buffer zone .................................. 3 f. Area of property proposed for inscription (ha.) and proposed buffer zone (ha.) if any. ............................................... 4 2. Justification for Inscription a. Statement of significance ............................................................................................................................................. 4 b. Possible comparative analysis (including state of conservation of similar properties) ................................................. 5 c. Authenticity/Integrity ................................................................................................................................................... 6 d. Criteria under which inscription is proposed (and justification for inscription under these criteria). ........................... 9 3. Description a. Description of Property ............................................................................................................................................... 10 b. History and Development ........................................................................................................................................... 15 c. Form and date of most recent records of property ....................................................................................................... 17 d. Present state of conservation ....................................................................................................................................... 18 e. Policies and programmes related to the presentation and promotion of the property. ................................................. 20 4. Management a. Ownership ................................................................................................................................................................... 21 b. Legal status ................................................................................................................................................................. 21 c. Protective measures and means of implementing them ............................................................................................... 22 d. Agency/agencies with management authority ............................................................................................................. 23 e. Level at which management is exercised .................................................................................................................... 24 f. Agreed plans related to property (e.g., regional, local plan, conservation plan, tourism development plan) ................ 26 g. Sources and levels of finance ...................................................................................................................................... 26 h. Sources of expertise and training in conservation and management techniques .......................................................... 26 i. Visitor facilities and statistics ....................................................................................................................................... 27 j. Property management plan and statement of objectives (copy to be annexed) ............................................................ 28 k. Staffing levels (professional, technical, maintenance). ................................................................................................ 29 5. Factors Affecting the Property a. Development Pressures (e.g., encroachment, adaptation, agriculture, mining) ............................................................ 29 b. Environmental Pressures (e.g., pollution, climate change) .......................................................................................... 30 c. Natural disasters and preparedness (earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.) ........................................................................... 30 d. Visitor/tourism pressures ............................................................................................................................................ 30 e. Number of inhabitants within property, buffer zone .................................................................................................... 31 f. Other. ........................................................................................................................................................................... 31 6. Monitoring a. Key indicators for measuring state of conservation ..................................................................................................... 31 b. Administrative arrangements for monitoring property ................................................................................................. 31 c. Results of previous reporting exercises. ...................................................................................................................... 31 7. Documentation a. Photographs, slides and, where available, film/video ................................................................................................... 32 b. Copies of property management plans and extracts of other plans relevant to the property......................................... 32 c. Bibliography................................................................................................................................................................. 32 d. Address where inventory, records and archives are held. ........................................................................................... 33 8. Signature on behalf of the State Party. ............................................................................................................................ 33 APPENDIXES 1. Glossary...................................................................................................................................................................36 2. Map showing location of Kampala in Africa and Uganda...................................................................................... 37 3. Map showing location of the site in Kampala ........................................................................................................ 38 4. Boundary of nominated property and buffer zone ................................................................................................. 39 5. Architectural surveys of the site ............................................................................................................................