Toward a critical history of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe

A critical examination of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) reveals that its evolution has been deeply intertwined with political shifts, from post-independence professionalization to the rise of 'liberation heritage' in the 2000s. The study highlights how NMMZ adapted to global heritage trends—such as cultural landscapes and intangible heritage—while navigating local challenges like structural adjustment and nationalist historiography. Notably, the politics of representing Zimbabwe's past, including human remains from its liberation war, have remained contested, illustrating how material heritage shapes representation as much as it is shaped by it.

Sagiya, M. E., & Fontein, J. (2021). Toward a critical history of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe. National Museums in Africa, 206–223. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003013693-12