OWNERSHIP CONFLICTS

AND

HERITAGE INTERPRETATION
IN

UGANDA AND TANZANIA

Karen Moon
CULTURAL HERITAGE - AN IMPORTANT ASSET
FOR DEVELOPMENT:
Some tangible benefits :

– Gives shape to the physical environment (e.g.

landmark buildings/skylines in an urban setting)

– Enriches the environment by giving variety and

depth (e.g. monuments, distinctive historic districts,
archaeological sites)

– An attractive environment generates income by

attracting visitors and investors
 CULTURAL HERITAGE - AN IMPORTANT ASSET
FOR DEVELOPMENT:
Some intangible benefits:

– Tells the story of the nation’s growth

– Creates a feeling of continuity

– Contributes to a sense of identity and national

pride

– Shared heritage creates a sense of belonging

 A QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP

Cultural ‘ownership’

ƒ Whose heritage: “theirs” or “everyone’s”?

ƒ Wanted or unwanted?
 HERITAGE INTERPRETATION

The varied architectural heritage of a country is a

national asset

• Needs to be seen as a jointly-owned resource,

in parallel with any more specific ownership
claims

• A balance should be established between

individual, group and national ownership.
 HERITAGE INTERPRETATION

• Interpretation can reach the public though both

formal and informal means

• Official site signboards, guidebooks, audio tours

and guide training, etc.

• Television and radio programmes, community

meetings, free leaflets, public lectures and
walking tours, newspaper articles, or the
activities of neighbourhood action groups
KAMPALA, UGANDA

Kasubi
Tombs
1892 map of
Mengo area,
Kampala
 Asian building in 1937 Opening ceremony of High
Nakasero Market area Court building
Mailo Two
 OWNERSHIP

Question of ownership a key problem:

• Whose buildings?

• Whose heritage?
Plot 52 Rashid Khamis Road
Basiima House, Mengo
Basiima House, Mengo
Asian Indian Traditional British
vernacular Buganda colonial
architecture architecture architecture

Asian Indian British

1940s Modern
Art Deco/ ? Movement
Modern

Modern Kampala
TANZANIA – THE SWAHILI COAST
Omani Fort German Boma
 INTERPRETIVE CONCEPT

– Chose evidence that redresses the balance (e.g. material that

emphasizes the primarily African origin of the people)

– Give prominence to Kiswahli (the local language)

– Stress continuity (e.g. in building technology – the use of coral

stone, lime and mangrove poles – customs traditions, indigenous
knowledge of use of natural materials, herbal remedies, etc)

– Point to the evidence of Pre-Islamic occupation of the site and

involvement in the Indian Ocean trade
“We then set sail for Kilwa, the principal town on the coast, most of
whose inhabitants are Zanj of very black complexion. Their faces are
scarred, like the Limiin at Janada … Kilwa is one of the most beautiful
and well-constructed towns in the world.”
From an account of Kilwa by the Moroccan traveller, Ibn Battuta, 1331
 HERITAGE INTERPRETATION

• Balance needed

• Concept of national ownership should be

encouraged

• Too much emphasis on ownership by

individual communities may have negative
as well as positive effects