Posted on January 18, 2010
Zimbabwe's implementation of the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was initiated by the Zimbabwean National Commission of UNESCO's Standing Committee on Culture which comprises representatives of Government departments responsible for culture aspects, arts and culture parastatals and arts and culture experts and representatives of some arts and culture national associations.
All UNESCO Conventions on Culture are processed through the Standing Committee on Culture. The committee overseas the implementation of Conventions on culture by requesting to be informed by implementing agencies, and assisting in dealing with challenges faced by those involved. The committee also process applications for UNESCO Country Participation Projects.
In 1991, the Standing Committee set up a Committee to deal with issues to do with intangible cultural heritage. The Committee, set up under the Ministry of Education, Sport & Culture under the Ministry's Permanent Secretary composed of 25 individuals who were considered experts in intangible cultural heritage, as well as custodians and creators of intangible cultural heritage for nominations for the Proclomation of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The Committee further selected Mbende/Jesusarema dance for nomination and subsequently set up a specialist committee to compile candidature file for Mbende/Jesusarema Dance for the Proclamation of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The specialist committee further appointed two experts to produce the Candidature file. Mbende/Jesusarema dance was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005.
In 2008 the Committee that dealt with the nomination file of Mbende/Jesusarema dance was transformed into the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee which began its operations in 2008 as a body responsible for the implementation by Zimbabwe of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Committee comprised of the following:
a) Professionals in the heritage sector - Heads of national heritage institutions;
b) Experts in intangible cultural heritage;
c) Representatives of government departments responsible for culture.
The Committee hosted by the National Commission for UNESCO produced in 2009, an Action Plan for implementing the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Committee began by identifying Human Treasures that can be community contact persons, resource persons, and advisors. Each Committee member recommended five human treasurers.
The Committee produced the initial national list of intangible cultural heritage being practiced in Zimbabwe, based on the experiences of the members of the Committee. The Committee expects the initial list to be adopted by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture, as the initial national inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Committee also began the process of:
1) Identifying NGO's for accreditation by the Intergovernmental Committee on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage
2) Developing a nation-wide awareness of the Convention
3) Developing a national paper calling on Submission of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Committees
4) Developing a 2010 Action Plan based on upcoming deadlines
5) Producing a report on Zimbabwe's implementation of 2003 Convention.
In 2008 Zimbabwe was elected to the Intergovernmental Committee on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was able to participate in the 4th session held in Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates from 28th September - 2nd October 2009. By attending the 4th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee Zimbabwe has attained broader understanding of the preoccupations of the Intergovernmental Committee; the priority actions that state parties must undertake to effectively implement the Convention, the deadlines that must be adhered to, the general progress in the implementation of the convention.
Zimbabwe is committed to contributing to effective working of the Intergovernmental Committee, with concerns, aspirations and views of Africa and Southern Africa on the implementation of the Convention. Zimbabwe has committed herself to share with the region and in particular Southern Africa critical information from the Intergovernmental Committee concerning the implementation of the Convention. Zimbabwe is also able to answer questions and advise state parties in Southern Africa on issues to do with the implementation of the 2003 Convention.
Stephen Chifunyise is a respected playwright, writer and storyteller based in Zimbabwe. He has played an active role representing Zimbabwe in various UNESCO forums and committees on Intangible Heritage and on Zimbabwe's National Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee.
Click here to view a video of the Mbende Jerusarema dance listed on the Representative List of the 2003 Convention in 2008.