Preserving Malawi’s cultural heritage
Cultural conservatives and commentators have, for long, bemoaned the lack of cultural national identity and efforts have been made by organisations and the government to preserve the heritage.
However, according to research that was conducted by Sungani Zakwathu Cultural Heritage Association (Suzcha), some of the NGOs which were established to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of Malawi did not cover not all aspects of Malawian culture since each one of them has a focused specific areas of interest.
Suzcha feared that if left unchecked some of the cultures may die a natural death hence its establishment.
According to a press statement that was made available to Chill, the establishment of Suzcha, which is a member of Malawi Folk Dance, Music and Song Society (MFODMASS) is thus seen to further contribute to the promotion and safeguarding especially of the Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in line with the Unesco Convention, the MGDS II government’s initiatives to preserve Malawian culture.
Noting that areas such as, performing arts which include traditional dances, songs and games, Traditional craftsmanship which include crafts such as creating fishing tools and equipment like fishing nets and making canoes and social practices like traditional chieftaincy ceremonies and wedding ceremonies, festivals and exhibitions.
Apart from addressing the gaps in the coverage and uplifting of the seemingly marginalized cultures, Suzcha will put in place mechanisms for ensuring equitable access to national resources and support to ensure their visibility.
Suzcha’s operations revolve around Intangible Cultural Heritage programs and as such its programme of activities will mostly zero in on three areas of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and which are; performing arts, traditional craftsmanship and social practices that are performed in selected districts in the country.
Some of the activities that will be implemented will include bringing awareness of the origins, meanings and relevance of Intangible Cultural Heritage expressions like traditional dances, games, songs and languages through cultural festivals, DVDs, CDs, and TV productions.
The organisation also aims at building capacity of communities in safeguarding cultural practices by imparting artistic skills to the youths in schools and communities on how to safeguard the cultural practices so that they don’t get extinct. By extension, provide vocational guidance to youths by informing them about the value of ICH for personal and career development.
The organisation will also be involved in disseminating various social messages such as on gender and HIV and Aids through the use of cultural expressions.
In an interview with Chill, Matthews Dontone Mfune the executive and artistic director of Suzcha, said that they are planning to launch the organisation in November at Wakawaka Hotel.
“They [Wakawaka management] have not yet given us a date and we are just waiting on the management to find us a free slot in November or last week of October,” said Mfune.
Mfune said they have outlined a number of traditional dances which will be showcased during the event.
“We will also have traditional games including the traditional Ntchuwa board game which will be played during the event. We have also invited primary and secondary schools to perform and also to appreciate Malawi’s cultural heritage,” said Mfune.
He added that they have incorporated sign language interpreters who will interpret the whole function to make sure that the event is all inclusive as they have invited patrons with hearing impairments.
Initially the organisation will implement its projects in Karonga, Chitipa, Rumphi, Nkhata Bay, Mchinji, Lilongwe, Dedza, Ntcheu, Mangochi, Zomba, Phalombe and Thyolo.
