The contribution of Mukanzubo cultural research institute to the promotion of the Tonga religious and cultural heritage
Date
2018
Authors
Chipembele, Edgar
Ziwa, Judith Lubasi Ilubala
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Two years after Zambia’s Independence, that is 1966, the National Museum Board, a Statutory Board
created by an Act of parliament Chapter 174 of the laws of Zambia, was formed. Through this Act of
parliament, the Zambian Government recognised the role Culture was to play in the development of a
new nation and began to explore the question of National identity. Hence, an institute to promote
Zambia’s culture was created, that is the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC).
Through the NHCC, community museums and cultural institutes like Mukanzubo Cultural Research
Institute (MCRI) were founded across Zambia. This study, therefore, investigated the contribution of
MCRI to the promotion of the Tonga religious and cultural heritage. The objectives of the study were to
explore the traditional and social values taught at MCRI and to assess the views of the traditional leaders
on the contribution of the MCRI to the promotion of the Tonga religious and cultural heritage. The
theory that guided this study is the socialisation theory. The study employed qualitative approach using
phenomenology design. Traditional and religious leaders, parents of students at MCRI and former and
current students from the institute formed the sample. The study established that the girls were taught
traditional and social values. They were also instructed to know and appreciate certain traditional and
cultural practices. The study also revealed that the Tonga religious and cultural heritage was expressed
in symbols and artefacts displayed in the institute and women collected the artefacts. The study
recommended that in order to serve the core mission of transferring of the Tonga traditional religion and
culture across generation, MCRI should increase the enrolment of girls. The study also recommended
that MCRI should extend the enrolment of students to boys so that they equally shared and appreciated
the rich cultural values taught at the cultural research institute.
Description
Article
Keywords
Religious heritage--Tonga--Zambia , Cultural heritage-Tonga--Zambia