BALANCING THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST:  HERITAGE AUTHENTICITY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE IN AFRICA

Masanori Nagaoka

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Submission

Paper Title

BALANCING THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST: HERITAGE AUTHENTICITY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE IN AFRICA

Authors

Masanori Nagaoka

Modality

Abstract

Subject area

4. Contemporary Challenges in Heritage Discourse - A critical examination of the state of the art in heritage discussions, considering the evolving perspectives and challenges that have emerged since the inception of the Venice Charter. Examining the relevance of the Venice Charter in the current context, with a focus on challenges posed by the Western divide between nature and culture, the growing importance of metropolises, social inequities, the environmental impact of human activities, disasters and conflicts, among others.

Publishing Date

11/04/2025

Country of Publishing

Brazil | Brasil

Language of Publishing

Inglês

Paper Page

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/805567-balancing-the-world-heritage-list---heritage-authenticity-in-theory-and-practice-in-africa

ISBN

978-65-272-1284-3

Keywords

Africa, heritage authenticity, World Heritage

Summary

The early 1990s saw a move against the European-dominated discourse of heritage and the concept of authenticity in the World Heritage (WH) system endorsing the material-centric view as seen in the 1964 Venice Charter. For instance, the 1994 Nara document articulated a developing Asian approach to heritage authenticity. Another example is the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage which focuses on non-material cultural heritage. The other is the 2005 Faro Convention which promotes an ethical approach to the full range of social and cultural diversity. The emerging international frameworks and principles on heritage authenticity in theory and practice contributed to recognising ways and means of various interpretations of heritage such as cultural landscape, living history, intangible values, vernacular heritage, and urban landscapes with community involvement. These arguments impacted the principles of the WH system. On the other hand, the definition of heritage authenticity and conservation practices in Africa is yet to be well articulated and shared globally despite some attempts, e.g., the Expert Meeting on the African Authenticity in Zimbabwe in 2000; the 2003 Kimberley Declaration at the 14th ICOMOS General Assembly; the 4th Global Strategy Meeting in Benin in 1998, etc. To nurture the discussion, this paper will attempt to provide a new African perspective on heritage authenticity and conservation practices through case studies of the King’s Palace in Nyanza in Rwanda and the sacred place for the spiritual dance of Mwanzindika in Kenya. These African cultural heritage properties reside in spiritual awe, nature power and great reverence for ancestors to which such places belong, the belief systems associated with them, and the cosmology of the communities in nature where these heritage sites are located. What is unique in these heritage properties is that the meaning and venues of significance evolved as time passed, thus the concept of heritage authenticity in these sites cannot be fossilised. Because these heritage does not fit into the definition of heritage authenticity in the Operational Guidelines of the WH Convention, these heritage properties are yet to be nominated for the WHL. And these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. This resulted in consequences: although the WH Committee set the Global Strategy in 1994 to enhance the balance of the WH List, the number of WH sites in the African region (103 properties) remains the least represented region (8.59%). This may stem from the challenges of lack of capacity for the preparation of nomination dossier and management of heritage properties and the under-resourcing of institutions to protect cultural and natural properties. However, on the other hand, it may originate from the fact that the definition of heritage authenticity and conservation practices in Africa are yet to be well studied. Indeed, as of June 2024, 82% of the World Cultural Heritage sites in Africa inscribed are a material-centric value of heritage. A comprehensive assemblage of case studies in Africa shall testify to contest the dichotomy as epistemological dominance of Western and Asian perceptions in contemporary-defined heritage authenticity.

Title of the Event: ICOMOS SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM 2024
City of the Event: Ouro Preto
Title of the Proceedings of the event: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings
Name of the Publisher: Even3
Means of Dissemination: Meio Digital

How to cite

NAGAOKA, Masanori. BALANCING THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST: HERITAGE AUTHENTICITY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE IN AFRICA.. In: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings. Anais...Ouro Preto(MG) Convention Center / UFOP/ UFMG Campus, 2024. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/805567-BALANCING-THE-WORLD-HERITAGE-LIST---HERITAGE-AUTHENTICITY-IN-THEORY-AND-PRACTICE-IN-AFRICA. Access in: 01/09/2025