African Museums in the Making

Reflections on the Politics of Material and Public Culture in Zimbabwe

Henry Chiwaura, Munyaradzi Mawere & Thomas Panganayi Thondhlana

 

Synopsis

One of the central theoretical and practical issues in post-colonial Africa is the relevance, nature, and politics at play in the management of museum institutions on the continent. Most African museums were established during the 19th and 20th centuries as European imperialists were spreading their colonial tentacles across the continent. The attainment of political independence has done little to undo or correct the obnoxious situation. Most African countries continue to practice colonial museology despite surging scholarship and calls by some Afro-centric and critical scholars the world over to address the quandaries on the continent's museum institutions. In view of all these glitches, this book tackles the issue of the management of heritage in Zimbabwe.

Review

The book draws on the findings by scholars and researchers from different academic orientations and backgrounds to advance the thesis that museums and museology in Zimbabwe face problems of epic proportions that require urgent attention.

Authors

Henry Chiwaura is a lecturer in the Culture and Heritage Studies Department at Great Zimbabwe University.

Munyaradzi Mawere, Associate Professor, Faculty of Culture and Heritage Studies, Great Zimbabwe University.

Thomas Panganayi Thondhlana teaches at Great Zimbabwe University.