Chiefs’ Regalia and Recognition: An Unusual Example of Heritage Values and Political Agendas in Zimbabwe

Summary

Various regalia and practices for recognizing traditional chiefs were used to support political agendas for maintaining colonial rule in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia and, earlier, Southern Rhodesia) for over 120 years, becoming part of the country’s cultural heritage. After independence (1980), different political agendas of the new regime resulted in many of these practices no longer being utilized or emphasized. By 1999, with political opposition growing, the long-ruling regime adopted new political agendas to retain power. One result was the re-invigoration of old colonial practices for recognizing traditional leaders and the use of these aspects of the country’s heritage as current tools to maintain a regime.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Heritage Values in Contemporary Society

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