By Patience Maganzo
Harare, Zimbabwe (News Of The South) – An international airport in Atlanta USA has a dedicated hallway to Zimbabwean crafts, showcasing our produce and heritage. As shown by a proud national who was astonished to see the impact our culture has to the outside world.
Are we aware of our heritage? If it wasn’t for our local currency notes and coins, would you be aware of the Zimbabwean bird and what it symbolizes, or the balancing rocks? A heritage we are proud of as a nation.
Heritage is the full range of our inherited traditions, monuments, objects and culture, most importantly it is the range of contemporary activities, meanings and behaviors that we draw from them. Heritage also includes preserving, displaying or restoring these artifacts or ways which were left to us by our Forefathers. It is a duty we inherit by virtue of being a citizen of our great Nation Zimbabwe. Heritage solves the cultural identity crisis that most millennials suffer from. Embracing your heritage gives you a sense of belonging and that is the one thing that no one can ever take away from you. The vast knowledge that is passed down from the past generations also help us take better care of our environment, the various do’s and don’ts (they called taboos) where their own management systems (EMS, QMS) that where put in place to be a guideline not only for them but for the future generations as well.
Our Nation is blessed to have Artists that can create beautiful cultural art, playing a vital role in interpreting and preserving our culture.
Cultural art in Zimbabwe comprises of pottery, weaving and basketry, textiles, jewelry, carving and sculpturing. This beautiful art is not only limited locally but has managed to make waves around the globe, for instance, Dominic Benhura’s statue in Singapore, Botanic Garden. Amongst a long list of artists who have made a mark overseas are Tapfuma Gutsa, Henry Munyaradzi (1931-1998) and Cosmas Shiridzinomwa, a painter whose art has travelled to Zambia, South Africa, Netherland and Germany. Shona sculptures are also featured in Gems for Africa Gallery in Atlanta, USA.
This generation is blessed with technology, and if used properly can help with our preservation of our National Heritage. There are various websites where cultural art is exhibited and sold online. www.zac.co.zw, a website for sculptors among other trades, showcases sculptured art to both local and international market. It acts as an online shop which exhibits arts as well as introduce and guide newcomers. EBay is also another big online platform that sells cultural art and people can also access this art at craft fairs and art galleries.
In Msasa, Harare, Haya Arts Organization showcases art at Chapungu Sculpture Park at Doon Estate Shopping Centre. The Gumiguru Craft Fair also offers an opportunity to showcase designs and products to export markets.
Along one side of the City Hall in Bulawayo, cultural artists showcase and sell their beautiful artwork to the passersby. Jairos Jiri Art and Craft Centre helps in training artists as well as promoting the trade.
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe, currently available in three cities, Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare, is dedicated to the presentation and conservation of Zimbabwe’s contemporary art and visual heritage. The gallery promotes talent and creativity through local and international platforms and currently has about 6000 works up to date. The National Arts Council is dedicated in promoting and developing the art sector, providing support as well as initiating arts programs. They help through forging partnerships with key stakeholders in the arts and culture sector.
When last did you visit the National History Museum, which houses a number of historical cultural monuments?
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