The role of indigenous environmental beliefs in cultural heritage preservation of Mwela rock art site in Kasama district of Zambia.
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Date
2019
Authors
Changwe, Kenny
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The researcher sought to investigate the role indigenous environmental beliefs play in heritage preservation at Mwela rock art site of Kasama district of Zambia. The objectives of the study were: to unravel the role spiritual beliefs played in preserving the rock art site, to investigate the desecration of indigenous beliefs at Mwela rock art site by the local people, to explore the kind of policies and laws needed in heritage preservation of Mwela rock art site and lastly explore the kind of resources needed in heritage preservation of Mwela rock art site.
To have an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under study, the researcher employed qualitative approach particularly a case study design. Data was collected through observations, interviews and focus group discussions from a sample of 16 participants out of which 5 were subjects of the Bemba Royal Establishment (BRE) that include 4 Village Headmen and 1 Village Headwoman, 3 focus group discussions representing three respondents from National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) members, 4 elderly men and 4 elderly women respectively. Purposive sampling, to be specific typical case study sampling, was used to purposively sample BRE subjects, NHCC members and the elders. Data was analysed according to emerging themes from research questions.
The researcher established that indigenous environmental beliefs play a critical role in heritage preservation of Mwela rock art site because of the local people’s spiritual attachment to the cultural landscape. Taboos (Imichiliko) that led to death, madness, bareness, illness and disappearance were suitable and effective in the preservation of the heritage site. However, the coming of NHCC to manage the heritage site, discouraged indigenous environmental beliefs from being recognized and incorporated in preservation practices. Coupled with the construction of the railway line in the sacred territory, together, marked the beginning of desecration that has led to the ongoing destruction of Mwela rock art site such as quarrying, graffiti, cutting down of trees, construction and encroachment. In the light of the findings, the study concluded that the Government of the Republic of Zambia through NHCC should through its laws and policies, recognize and incorporate the BRE and traditional beliefs in heritage preservation practices.
Thus, the researcher recommended adoption and incorporation of indigenous environmental beliefs into formal heritage management as propounded by cosmopolitanism framework in heritage preservation of Mwela rock art site.
Key words: Indigenous, Heritage preservation, Environment, Beliefs, Sacred, Spiritual.
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Thesis
Keywords
Indigenous-- Heritage preservation--Zambia , Environment-- Beliefs,sacred, spiritual--Study and Teaching--Zambia