The contribution of Mukanzubo cultural research institute to the promotion of the Tonga religious and cultural heritage

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Date
2018
Authors
Chipembele, Edgar
Ziwa, Judith Lubasi Ilubala
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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.
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Article
Keywords
Religious heritage--Tonga--Zambia , Cultural heritage-Tonga--Zambia
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