The need to come together and define new narratives that speak to the diverse communities living in and around our remarkable World Heritage sites, as well as the many visitors that visit these spaces, is a topic that is fast gaining traction worldwide. Many times, tour guides and guidebooks at these sites tend to focus on the architectural and historical significance of these sites, neglecting all other aspects associated with these places. This narrow focus not only limits visitors' understanding of the sites, but also perpetuates a one-sided narrative that ignores the diversity and dynamism of local communities by silencing specific voices and shying away from engaging with particular topics that are regarded as less important. As calls for new inclusive storytelling at World Heritage sites intensify, many ask: why is it necessary to create new narratives for World Heritage sites like the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, and what is currently missing from their current interpretations?
Ms Laura Ganda, a young creative and frequent visitor to the World Heritage site since her childhood during school trips, stands at the base of the Great Enclosure, admiring the mortarless stone walls and the artistry of the people who built the majestic Great Zimbabwe. The tour guide leader accompanying her to the site shares intriguing insights about the monument. She can't help but question her personal relationship with the monument itself. The feminist within her, intertwined with her role as an art curator, forces her to contemplate her place within the prevailing narratives about Great Zimbabwe: how does she, with her passion for social justice and cultural memory, fit into the unfolding story of this monumental site?
Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Monument transcends being merely a testament to the architectural brilliance of its builders; it stands as a profound symbol of the rich and complex history of the African continent. Its significance and cultural importance are intricately woven into the tapestry of both Zimbabwe's heritage and the broader history of Africa. However, establishing a personal connection to the site can feel like a distant prospect for individuals like Laura. This challenge arises from the fact that the stories and narratives surrounding the site predominantly emanate from foreign perspectives and worldviews, often neglecting to engage with the issues that resonate with locals.
Young creatives and artists in the country share this same yearning for a more inclusive and representative storytelling about this magnificent monument, reflecting and celebrating societal diversity. They express concern about how the existing narratives, shaped by foreign perspectives, inadvertently overlooked the intricacies of the local context and how this oversight creates a gap between the monumental site and the people who live in and around it. They bemoan how the traditional storytelling approach has often left them feeling detached from the site. In her words, Laura notes:
Laura Ganda, Creative Lounge Zimbabwe
…. The conventional way in which the narrative around Great Zimbabwe has been conveyed and marketed, places too much emphasis on structural and symbolic perspectives formulated decades ago that no longer resonate with the interests of the visitors that come to visit the monument, these new visitors want to engage with conversations on topics such as the social position that women occupied in the ancient city.
Indeed, Great Zimbabwe’s importance lies in its role as a melting pot of different societies, where people from various backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions converged, interacted, traded, and created a unique, diverse culture. However, the narratives disseminated about the site do not consistently portray this diversity. Consequently, the attribution of value to locations and practices within the site adheres to this flawed principle, limiting its capacity to accommodate the varied interests of its visitors.
Onward Gibson Chironda, My Age Zimbabwe
Onward puts it;
…These stones are not silent; they speak a language that binds us all, this isn't just a site; it's a living, breathing entity whose narratives must be retold repeatedly in different ways till people far away from Masvingo see themselves in and identify with the narratives of Great Zimbabwe. It is our duty to use our creativity to tell the story of Great Zimbabwe from our perspective so that we connect our audiences with the monument in our own unique ways.
To revitalize the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage site's regional significance and empower its communities, UNESCO has partnered with the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, UNOPS and the French Development Agency to implement the “Rehabilitation and Development of the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage site” project. This project aims to stimulate sustainable, inclusive tourism development of the site and its surrounding areas, thereby connecting the site with the local economy. This is a direct answer to calls from contemporary creatives such as Mr Peter Kaunda, who sees potential in leveraging the use of arts and technology to market the World Heritage site beyond Masvingo and the region.
Peter Kaunda, Artillery Gallery
Mr. Kaunda notes:
.. We have got a magnificent site here in Masvingo. Our mandate as artists and curators is to preserve that space while celebrating it everywhere. The key to attracting interest from foreigners lies in how we reflect our value for the monument through sharing personal stories and connections to the monument with people in Harare, Victoria falls, Bulawayo and anywhere in the world. It is through this interaction that people in these areas will want to visit the physical space and immerse themselves in the vibrant arts and culture present around the site.
In collaboration with the International Centre for the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites (UNESCO-WHIPIC) and the Great Zimbabwe University, UNESCO is currently leading the development of an all-encompassing Interpretation and Storytelling Framework for the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage site. This Framework aims to offer strategic direction to ensure that the narratives surrounding the site establish genuine connections with local communities and resonate effectively with visitors. Additionally, it will pinpoint content, media, and services that will be used to deliver a diverse and holistic range of narratives, thereby engaging and inspiring visitors.
By placing local creatives such as Laura, Peter and Onward at the forefront of efforts to reimagine new multi vocal narratives on Great Zimbabwe, UNESCO is bridging the gap between the site and visitors for the benefit of its communities, while promoting an increased sense of ownership and pride amongst people in Zimbabwe and across Africa.
