Traditional Management Systems at Heritage Sites in Africa TRADITIONAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Preface AT HERTAGE SITES IN AFRICA This publication by African heritage experts is a contribution to the general debate on heritage management and conservation. It presents a number of testimonies and research on concepts and methodologies which have been used for generations to sustain the values and attributes of places of heritage significance on the continent. TABLE OF CONTENT Let me emphasize that, following extensive work in this field, the need to recognize, formalize and document Tra- ditional Management Systems emerged as one of the key messages of the Second Periodic Report (World Her- itage) in Africa in 2011. Many researchers perceive the multilayered use of custodian practices as a potential contribution from Africa to improve the implementation of World Heritage as well as strengthen the unavoidable di- Preface....................................................................................................4 alogue between the 1972 and 2003 Conventions. Intangible is indeed the soul and the source of tangible evidenc- es which can provide the concrete support for heritage management. That interlinkage is apparent on the African continent particularly in the use of Traditional Management Systems to reinforce and sustain places of significant. Acronyms ..............................................................................................5 This publication is an outcome of the work carried out by seven African researchers in partnership with her- itage institutions in different parts of the continent. It has been made possible through the collaboration of various organizations including EPA, CHDA, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ICCROM and the Nor- Glossary..................................................................................................5 dic World Heritage Foundation. At the core of this research study was the intention to provide methodolo- gy and best practices on how to document custodian systems and explore ways of harmonizing them with existing World Heritage management requirements. The approaches are diverse, however, the resulting vol- Authors’ Profile......................................................................................8 ume is a living testimony to the importance of the age old management systems still in use at heritage places. Finally, this publication, in English and French, would not be possible without the support of the Royal Nor- wegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I would like to reiterate our gratitude to them. My wish is that this book will in- Introduction.........................................................................................10 spire best practices to ensure the promotion and better management of the continents heritage. It is only a start which we hope will encourage further research and publications on this important topic. One Africa, One Destiny. Chapter 1:..............................................................................................13 The traditional custodianship system in Southern Africa Webber Ndoro Director of AWHF Chapter 2:..............................................................................................25 Traditional management systems among the Konso of Ethiopia Chapter 3:..............................................................................................33 Traditional management system in the East African region: the case of the Rabai Kaya sacred forests (Kenya) and Kasubi royal tombs (Uganda) Chapter 4:.............................................................................................42 Traditional management systems in natural World Heritage sites in East Africa Chapter 5:..............................................................................................51 Traditional management systems: a case study of housing in Otammari land and Ganvié in Benin Chapter 6:..............................................................................................61 Traditional management systems in Central Africa: the Royal Domain of Mbe Conclusion.............................................................................................67 4 5 TA Traditional Authority Kafa Clan/lineage organization of the tékéroyal court Acronymns TCS Traditional Custodianship System Kanta Neighbourhood organisation (ward) Boulou Forest’s name in the Mbe sacred TEK Traditional Ecological Knowledge Kara Ritual ceremony marking the domain TMS Traditional Management System transfer of responsibilities between Dzan Supreme God, creator of Earth, ADC Area Development Committee UNESCO United Nations Educational, generations and erection of a stela Skies and Stars Kimaya/Orshada The elders Ebala Forest’s name in the Mbesacred AWHF African World Heritage Fund Scientific and Cultural Organization Konso clans Kertita, Tikisayta, Eshalayta, Elayta, domain BSAC British South Africa Company UWA Uganda Wildlife Authority Argamayta, Togumaleta, Sawdata, Etiele Forest’s name in the Mbesacred CHDA Centre for Heritage Development in VDC Village Development Committee Mahaleta, and Pasanta domain Africa (Malawi) Kulkusa The younger group and Hirba the IdzouaImfoula Forest’s name in the Mbesacred CVCP The Culture, Values and VFA Village Forest Area older group of the same generation domain Conservation project VH Village Headmen Mora Public and ritual place, also serves Ilolo Forest’s name in the Mbesacred DANO District Administration (Native) VIDCO Village Development Committee as a dancing place during domain Ordinance (Zimbabwe) festivities, a spot for storytelling by Impoh Forest’s name in the Mbesacred DDC District Development Committees VNRMC Village Natural Resources the elders and a meeting place for domain DNPWLM Department of National Parks and Management Committee the community members Inkoui Forest’s name in the Mbesacred Wild Life Management WADCO Ward Development Committee Mura-Dawra Sacred grooves domain Pafta Specially constructed one storey Inkwi Deceases’ spirits and protector of DPC Directorate of Cultural Heritage WH World Heritage thatched house at one end of the sacred forests of the Mbe royal EPA School of African Heritage ZANLA Zimbabwe African National Mora that also serves as a domain FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation Liberation Army sleeping place for the young adults Intiere Forest’s name in the Mbesacred of the United Nations ZANU-PF Zimbabwean African National and guests domain FFI Flora and Fauna International Union-Patriotic Front Parka Work groups (individual or Makoko Title of the King of téképeoples GVH Group Village Headmen ZIPRA Zimbabwe Peoples’ Revolutionary collective labour) Mampele One of the Ngatsii of Mbedomain HRP Her Royal Princess Army Paleta Traditionally built walled towns Mampiele One of the 12 AnkobiofMbe forest HRH His Royal Highness (traditional towns) Mampiele One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain ICCROM International Centre for the Study of Poquola Clan chief, regional spiritual leader Mbali a Nkani One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain the Preservation and Restoration of Glossary Poquola Mulga livein eachtown (Paleta) Mbenkoulou Forest’s name in the Mbe sacred Cultural Property representing each clan (Kafa) and domain ICOMOS International Council of Monuments performs rituals to members of his Missima Forest’s name in the Mbe sacred clan. domain and Sites Kasubi/Kaya Bujjabukula Main entrance to the palace at Poquola Tuma Chief with traditional powers that Mouagao One of the 12 Ankobi of Mbe forest IFAW International Fund for Animal Kasubi Tombs are hereditary passed down from Mouangao One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain Welfare Katikiro Prime Minister at the Royal Palace father to son (Kala, Bamale, Kufa). Mouindzou One of the 12 Ankobi of Mbe forest IUCN International Union for Kabaka The Buganda King Leads secluded life in the middle of Mouindzou One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain Conservation of Nature Lubuga The King’s Mother in Buganda a Juniper forest located on top of a Moutsiri One of the 12 Ankobi of Mbe forest LATF Local Authority Transfer Fund Kingdom hill overlooking the surrounding Moutsiri One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain KRT Kasubi Royal Tombs Mulamba Door Keeper/Principle Guide at the lands. Mpie Forest’s name in the Mbe sacred MCP Malawi Congress Party Royal Palace Senkeleta A coordinator of the Hela group domain MDC Movement for Democratic Change Mzee Elder in Aravai Language Tinayela The male children (also known as Ndoua Forest’s name in the Mbe sacred MMCL Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape Mulungu God in Aravai Language Fereyda) domain MMCT Mulanje Mountain Conservation Nalinya The King’s Official Sister in Ulahita A generation marking tree erected Ndzoua Forest’s name in the Mbesacred every eighteen years domain Trust Buganda Kingdom Omudanda Beer server at the royal palace in Waka Carved wooden statues which, are Ngadzion One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain MMFR Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve Buganda anthropomorphic and zoo-morphic Ngakaon One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain NC Native Commissioner Ngalieno One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain NA Native Authorities Konso Rwenzori Ngalion 1 One of the 12 Ankobi of Mbe forest Irungu The god and spirit of wilderness NCA Ngorongoro Conservation Area Aba Timba Chief Administrator of the Ngalion II One of the 12 Ankobi of Mbe forest Kahiyi The god for all animals NCAA Ngorongoro Conservation Area Act Paleta and Keeper of the sacred Ngalion One of the Ngatsii of Mbe domain Kalisya The god for hunting NCCA Ngorongoro