Collective Memory and Memory-Making within the Mapungubwe and Makgabeng Heritage Landscapes: Indigenous Voices Amongst the Sotho- and Venda- Speaking Groups of Southern Africa

Indigenous voices significantly enrich the understanding and management of cultural heritage, particularly in the Mapungubwe and Makgabeng Cultural Landscapes. This research reveals that indigenous groups employ a multifaceted approach to heritage identification, interpretation, and evaluation, utilizing physical site manifestations, ethnographic inquiry, oral history, spirit mediums, landscape memory, genealogy, and praise poetry. These practices, rooted in collective memory and ritual, offer deeper insights into the intangible aspects of archaeological heritage that are often overlooked by state-based management systems influenced by colonial and apartheid legacies. The study proposes a more inclusive archaeology and heritage management approach, advocating for the involvement of indigenous groups in all stages of heritage presentation to better capture the African past.

Mlilo, T., & Bandama, F. (2024). Collective Memory and Memory-Making within the Mapungubwe and Makgabeng Heritage Landscapes: Indigenous Voices Amongst the Sotho- and Venda- Speaking Groups of Southern Africa. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202403.0850.v1