By Simbarashe Mudhokwani
The
General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
meeting in Paris from 3 to 21 October 2005 at its 33rd session affirmed that
cultural diversity is the defining characteristics of humanity. In ratifying
the 2005 UNESCO Convention 68% of African countries including Zimbabwe have
agreed and signed the Convention. There are a number of questions around the
subject of cultural identities, practices, rituals and cultural diversities of
humanity that need clarity. Who best
could unpack more details on the subject?
Over the years, Zimbabwe has had a
number of ethnic groups from other countries coming into the country. These
diverse cultural groups of people brought in with them their cultural practices
and rituals. Different historical experiences of migrant Malawians, Zambians
and Mozambique during the colonial and post colonial era noticed diverse racial
and tribal groups moving and settling in farms doted around the country. The
Nyau or Gule Wamukulu and its ritual practices initiated to be practiced. In
today’s current date these cultural practices together with other rituals are strongly
adept and anchored in practice. These foreign cultures, rituals and
practices which came into the country, should they also be regarded as part of
the Zimbabwe’s cultural diversities? Do they deserve respect as cultural
diversities that are Zimbabwean?
Gule Wamukulu, or the Nyau dances,
Zezuru mbira music, Dinhe, Amabhiza dance from Matebeleland, and the Mbende Jerusarema
dance which was declared an intangible world heritage master piece of humanity
are some of the culturally practiced dances in Zimbabwe. Are these different cultural
dances in their diverse forms receiving same treatment and acceptance as
explained in the 2005 UNESCO Convention? Historically, the Nyau dance is
believed of originating from the Chewa people from the then Zaire down to
Zambia and Malawi. A number of migrants from other countries (Mozambique,
Zambia and Malawi) came into Zimbabwe and there is even a continuation of many
other ethnic groups which include Chinese and Somalians who are coming in
through Mozambique. In short, apart from one known Gule culture, many other
cultural groups are still trickling into Zimbabwe. Are the foreign cultural piece
performances receiving the same treatment with other local ones that are
believed to be Zimbabwean by origin?
Are
all the diverse cultures of citizens and nationalities in Zimbabwe respected? Should
those cultures from other countries be respected and placed under the same
treatment together with Zimbabwean diverse cultures anyway? Does a cultural
practice identified with a particular group of people best define people?
If a Zimbabwean performs a
foreign dance such a Nyau be defined within the context of that very cultural
practice?
The 2005 UNESCO convention objective
one states that “this Convention is to protect and promote the diversity of
cultural expressions.” Should the dances of another country practiced in Zimbabwe
also be protected and promoted use in Zimbabwe?
The
2005 Convention on the protection and promotion of the Diversity of Cultural expressions
contain major highlights to the preservation and promotion of cultural
diversities in Zimbabwe. There are many lessons which can be learnt from it
hence the need to discuss and debate on the subject.
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