Sharon Chigeza
MUTARE-Intangible heritage can only be heritage when it is recognised as such by communities, groups or individuals that create, maintain and transmit it, said Mutare District Development Coordinator, Wilson Boore.
Officiating at Nyachowa Falls Arts Festival, in Chigodora last week Boore implored communities to preserve their cultural heritage despite the adoption of foreign cultures in their everyday living.
“Our culture identifies us as a people. It is the same cultural heritage that has seen the nation come so far since precolonial times and has safeguarded us from a number of social vices. It is of note that post-colonial era we have adopted foreign cultures into our way of living but we should be wise enough to know what cultures are good for the society what to shun for the preservation of a sane society,” he said.
He said traditional leaders were to engage the elderly in the preservation of local cultures as these were the custodians of such great treasures whose duty is to pass the baton stick to the younger generations.
“Zimbabweans should be reminded that we are custodians of our own culture and there is need to engage our children, the elderly and corporate world to have such events that motivate the society to keep our culture,” he added.
He however put to note the need to disregard cultural practices that violate basic human and children’s rights and were no longer applicable in present day Zimbabwe.
“As much as we choose between right and wrong in the adoption of foreign cultures, let us be reminded that some of our own cultural practices are no longer applicable in present day as they are borderline abusive and deprive us of basic human rights. We have practices such as betrothing young girls and the killing of twins which have been seen to be violations of human rights and as such we should stand our guard against the carrying forward of such practices in our communities,” said Mr Boore.
Heritage refers to practices that are passed down through the years from one generation to the next.
Last week hundreds of people from the Chigodora community came for an annual arts festival that was held at the sacred site of Nyachowa Falls.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Manicaland provincial manager, Caroline Makoni said people had to find ways to safeguard their culture.
“Many cultural expressions of intangible heritage are under threat, endangered by globalization and cultural homogenization. It is the role of traditional chiefs from different parts of the country to make sure cultural festivals are done in different communities for the preservation of cultural heritage,” said Ms Makoni.
