Post-colonial heritage conservation in Africa: perspectives from drystone wall restorations at Khami World Heritage site, Zimbabwe

Modern heritage conservation practices at Khami World Heritage site in Zimbabwe reveal a tension between indigenous beliefs and Western restoration principles. While post-colonial restorations, particularly drystone wall repairs between 2000 and 2015, preserved the site's structural integrity to avoid delisting, they disrupted local traditions that viewed Khami as a sacred resting place for ancestors with minimal human intervention. The study highlights how these compromises—balancing international conservation standards with local spiritual significance—sustain Khami's economic value as a tourist destination while acknowledging their limitations in fully aligning with indigenous practices.

Chirikure, S., Mukwende, T., & Taruvinga, P. (2015). Post-colonial heritage conservation in Africa: perspectives from drystone wall restorations at Khami World Heritage site, Zimbabwe. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 22(2), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2015.1103300