2
HERITAGE MONTH 2015
“Our indigenous knowledge, our heritage:
Towards the identification, promotion and preservation of South
African’s living heritage”
1. INTRODUCTION
The Department of Arts and Culture proposes the theme “Our indigenous knowledge, our heritage: Towards the identification, promotion and preservation of South African’s living heritage” for the 2015 Heritage Month. The pinnacle of the Heritage Month celebration will be the hosting of various activities in line with the above mentioned theme on Heritage Day - September 24, 2015.
The 2015 Heritage Day will take the format of a Cultural Fair that will showcase South Africa`s living heritage including aspects of the living Heritage of communities from other countries that reside in South Africa. This will include but will not be limited to indigenous foods, craft, dance, music, instruments and objects. Diverse communities in South Africa will be encouraged to use aspects of their living heritage as a focal point to promote and embrace cultural diversity, human rights, nation building and economic development. Regarding the practise of customs and tradition, in his unpublished autobiographical manuscript written on Robben Island in 1975, the first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa stated that “ I consider myself obliged to pay proposer respect to my customs and traditions , provided that such customs and traditions tend to keep us together and do not in any way conflict with the aims and objects of the struggle against racial oppression”. Similarly, Kofi Annan, the 7th Secreatary – General pointed out that “ We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin but we all belong to one human race” .
2. DEFINING LIVING HERITAGE
Living heritage or Intangible Cultural Heritage means cultural expressions and practices that form a body of knowledge and provide for continuity, dynamism, and meaning of social life to generations of people as individuals, social groups, and communities. It is transmitted from generation to generation, constantly recreated by communities and groups, in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity. (Reference: International Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage)
The National Heritage Council Act (Act No 11 of 1999) and the National Heritage Resources Act (Act No 25 of 1999) define living heritage as “the intangible aspects of inherited culture and may include:
· Cultural tradition
· Oral history
· Performance
· Ritual
· Popular memory
· Skills and techniques
· Indigenous knowledge system and
· The holistic approach to nature, society and social relationships.
Similarly, Article 2(1) of the International Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage reads:
This might be manifested in the following categories:
a) Oral traditions and expressions, including as a vehicle of the intangible Cultural Heritage;
b) Performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events;
c) Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
d) Traditional craftsmanship.
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
3.1. To celebrate South Africa`s living heritage;
3.2. To popularise the use of living heritage as a vehicle for nation building, national reconciliation, moral regeneration, economic development, social cohesion and towards the creation of a common South African national identity;
3.3. To create a platform for communities to showcase different aspects of South Africa's diverse heritage;
3.4. To identify and recognize Living Human Treasures and thus profiling individuals who have expertise and knowledge in different aspects of Living Heritage (ICH) Treasures;
3.5. To encourage South Africans to take pride in South Africa`s living heritage and play an active role in affirming, promoting and preserving of this heritage.
4. DISCUSSION
Living heritage is a totality of peoples experiences; the manner in which they deal with birth, the coming of age, maturity, marriage, old age and death; the manner in which they celebrate theses stages of human development; the manner in which they deal with poverty and destitution, how they build their economies, how they create their stability; how they co-exist with other communities as well as their natural environment, how they narrate their stories, how they sing and dance etc.
Communities have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, knowledge and cultural expressions, as well as the manifestations of their sciences, technologies and cultures, including human and genetic resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of the properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional games and visual and performing arts.
In addition, communities also have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their intellectual property over such cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions.
Living heritage is valuable and irreplaceable as it is rooted in the history and identity of a group or community, but one of the specific strengths of living heritage is that it is constantly being reproduced, developed, and renewed by that group or community who are bearers of the living heritage. Safeguarding living heritage, therefore, does not mean preventing change or “freezing” it, but encouraging continued practice and identification with it by bearer communities or groups.
It also means safeguarding the conditions under which the living heritage is practised, for example, by ensuring sustainable supplies of natural resources required for its practice or negotiating continued access to sites that are commonly used for festivals.
The South African government is committed to ensuring that every member of the South African society has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice, including the right to belong to a cultural, religious or linguistic community and enjoy their culture, practise their religion and use their language. However, it is important that the above mentioned rights in may not be exercised in a manner inconsistent with any provision of the Bill of Rights.
Since 1994 several legislations have been passedby the Department of Arts and Culture and other departments to revive, affirm the preservation, protection and practice of cultural heritage in South Africa.
The White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage, the National Heritage Council Act (Act no 11 of 1999) and National Heritage Resources Act (Act no 25 of 1999) bears testimony to the vision designed to achieve this objective.
5. STAKEHOLDERS
The following Government departments and partners will implement the activities of Heritage Month and Heritage Day:
· The Department of Arts and Culture (lead department);
· The Presidency;
· Department of Tourism;
· Commission for the Protection of Cultural, Linguistic and Religious Rights of Communities
· Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
· Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs;
· Provincial and Local Governments;
· Media;
· Associated Institutions of the DAC and Statutory Bodies
· Institutions of Higher Learning;
· Traditional Leadership Institutions;
· Religious Organizations;
· The Private Sector and Non-Governmental Organizations;
· Community-Based Organizations and Cultural Groups
· Youth
· Civil society organisations
6. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The Department of Arts and Culture proposes an innovative approach to celebrating and implementing the 2015 Heritage Month and Heritage Day Programmes. In previous years, the celebration of national Heritage Day was implemented by hosting a “National Event” whereby community participation did not fully succeed in reflecting South Africa’s diverse population.
This year, it is proposed that a Cultural Fair replace the hosting of a national stadium event to celebrate Heritage Day. Provinces, Municipalities, Traditional Affairs Authorities will play a prominent role to ensure that maximum impact at community level and that South Africa’s diverse communities will actively be in the forefront of celebrating aspects of South Africa`s Heritage Day. The proposed theme is intended to kick-start the collection, preservation, protection and promotion of Living Heritage by communities.
7. PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE MONTH
The Department of Arts and Culture intends to use the theme for 2015 Heritage Month to encourage and inspire communities in South Africa to celebrate and showcase different elements of their Intangible Cultural Heritage/ Living Heritage. The following are suggested topics for implementing the theme for Heritage Month 2015.
NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON THE ROLE OF LIVING HERITAGE IN PROMOTING POSITIVE VALUES AND IN PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS; RECONCILIATION, NATION BUILDING, SOCIAL COHESION, POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION
Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is the foundation of most communities and an essential source of their identity. As a result, the South African constitution promotes and recognises the right of communities to practise their culture, religion and languages, communities are therefore encouraged to play an active role in the implementation of activities in line with the theme to ensure participation of all sectors of South Africa`s diverse society such as the youth, elderly, people with disabilities as well as individuals from other countries who are residing in South Africa.
In recognition of the wisdom that resides in South Africa`s communities, the Department of Arts and Culture will spearhead a panel of discussions on various topics such as traditional knowledge, rituals, rights of passage and other cultural expressions located in different communities. The main purpose of these discussions will be to put ICH/ Living Heritage at the epicentre of the national discourse and to highlight the significance of South Africa’s cultural heritage in fostering unity, respect and cohesion.
The youth are present and future ambassadors to ensure the continuous practise of various aspects of living heritage. Therefore active participation by the youth in a national discussions/ debates geared at soliciting practical and sustainable solution will yield results for their social and economic development. The youth will become empowered and responsible citizen. Developed and developing countries have managed to sustain the creation of wealth and the distribution thereof successfully, because these countries depend heavily on traditional knowledge and resources located in their countries and other countries. Members of communities will recognise the value and relevance of cultural heritage in today’s competitive global environment. For example, recently there has been an increase in the use of traditional material to manufacture clothes i.e. Ginger Mary and Bow Africa labels including facials and décor.
During the Heritage Month, individuals who have unique skills in various aspects of living heritage/ Intangible cultural heritage will be given a platform to share their knowledge with the entire population through the media. The emphasis will be the use of elements of knowledge and skills to address socio-economic challenges in South Africa.
Focal areas could include but not limited to:
• Indigenous skills, architecture and craftsmanship
• Indigenous food and cooking and preservation techniques (rare)
• Medicine and healing techniques
• Indigenous décor and clothing
• Indigenous/ traditional music and dance that is associated with different life experiences and rites of passage such as birth, puberty, marriage, death etc.
• Cultural practises
• Oral history and oral tradition
National and provincial dialogues will to a greater degree lay foundation for the development of a National Strategy on the Collection, Protection, Preservation and Promotion of Living Heritage/Intangible Cultural Heritage.
A partnership will be forged with the media to have panel discussions on the radio stations on practical programmes that the public wants to put forward on this subject and also request the inclusion of living heritage in their programming.
A partnership with the media houses such as the South African Broadcasting Corporation, radio and television, community radio stations and television, and other television channels, will ensure publicity of community programs to implement the 2015 theme for Heritage Month throughout the month. This will include
ICONS OF SOUTH AFRICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THEIR STORIES
Icons of South African cultural heritage or living human treasures are individuals who have contributed through their actions to revive and preserve different aspect of living heritage in their communities.
This week will be dedicated to profiling and interviewing individuals or discuss achievements of individuals that have excelled in various aspects of living heritage. Profiling will include schedules of oral interviews by the youth or students and various media platforms.
These icons or living human treasures are individuals who have :
• Contributed through tangible/palpable activities towards the revitalisation of a cultural tradition that is at risk of disappearing due to either lack of means for safeguarding and protection or due to the process of rapid change, urbanisation or acculturation;
• Demonstrated their role as a means of affirming the cultural identity of the peoples and cultural communities concerned, their importance as a source of inspiration and as a means of bringing peoples and communities closer together;
• Provided proof of excellence in the application of skills and techniques;
• Given wide evidence of their roots in the cultural tradition or cultural history of the community concerned;
• Affirmed their value as unique testimonies of living cultural traditions.
CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS: THEATRE, MUSIC, DANCE, POETRY, AND OTHERS
Music, musical instruments, dance, theatre, and the role of music in promoting social cohesion and affirming cultural identity and other aspects of living heritage/ Intangible Cultural Heritage will be the main focus area during the 1st week of the Heritage Month.
In addition, the role of music in storytelling, events, ceremonies or rituals will be highlighted including the evolution of music and dance performances in a multicultural South African society.
The display of Traditional/ Indigenous music will not only be a celebration of cultural diversity in South Africa but will showcase traditional clothes, accessories, instruments, and dance. In addition, this initiative will break down cultural barriers, and increase public participation during Heritage Month.
It is envisaged that this will encourage communities to showcase their rich and unique performing groups among other things. As a result, solicit ideas in the use of the above to create jobs through different types of cultural performances and other cultural artefacts. For instance, the development of indigenous instruments.
Similarly, community groups in South Africa have unique traditional clothes that portray their cultural identity; however, they do not own factories that manufacture material for their traditional clothes. For example, xibelani is traditional attire for VaTsonga in Limpopo. Although these clothes are part of their cultural heritage, they do not own the production of their heritage. It is important therefore, for relevant departments to facilitate the establishment of traditional material businesses and ensure that they are owned by people of that particular cultural group.