Multilingual Academic Journal of Education and Social Sciences

search-icon

The Role of Zimbabwean Museums in Creating National Identity during Post-Colonial Era: A case study of Zimbabwe Military Museum

Open access

Nelson Jagero, Walter K. T. Chisedzi, Nevermore Sithole, Shadreck Simbarashe Chitima

Pages 46-56 Received: 21 Feb, 2016 Revised: 16 Mar, 2016 Published Online: 19 May, 2016

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/MAJESS/v4-i1/2047
The study evaluated the role of Zimbabwe Military Museum’s (ZMM) exhibitions in the creation and portrayal of national identity during post-colonial period. The research focused mainly on the museum’s collections, themes, events, interpretation and presentation of exhibitions in portraying Zimbabwe’s identity after independence up to present. This was done on the basis that most of the displays at ZMM pursue colonial ideologies whilst at the same time undermine African identity. The researchers used a qualitative research approach; the data collection methods and instruments included interviews, focus group discussions and desktop survey. This was performed in order to obtain ample information and testimonial evidence concerning audiences’ perceptions of the Zimbabwe Military Museum’s programs in relation to national identity. Research findings demonstrated that the ZMM does not systematically provide for exhibitions that may address and create national identity, but instead it focuses on exhibitions that pursue colonial ideologies; in effect, colonial traits are evident in collections, themes, events and interpretation of displays. In conclusion if the museum does not take action and redress colonial traits, the audiences will continue to disengage, get distant and withdraw from the museum and its activities.
Foster, R. J. (1991). Making National Cultures in the Global Ecumene. Annual Review of Anthropology, 20, 235-260.
Hooper-Greenhill, E. (1994). Measuring Learning Outcomes in Museums, Archives and Libraries: The Learning Impact Research Project (LIRP). International Journal of Heritage Studies, 10(2), 151-174.
ICOM. (1996). AFRICOM. Documenting African Collections. ICOM: Paris.
ICOM. (2001-2004). Code of ethics. ICOM: Paris.
McLean, F. (1998). Museums and the Construction of National Identity: A review. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 3(4), 244-252.
McLean, F. (2005). Guest Editorial, Museums and National Identity. Leicester: University of Leicester, Dept. of Museum Studies.
Mulindwa, P. (2012). The Politics of Memory: The Role of Museums in Africa in the New Millennium. National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe Act.
O'Neill, M. (1994). Museums and the Renegotiation of Identities. Museum Ireland, 4, 9-19.
O'Neill, M (1995). Curating Feelings: issues of identity in museums, Canadian Art Gallery. Art Museum Educators, 18- 30.
Smith, L. (2004). Archaeological Theory and the Politics of Cultural Heritage. London and New York: Routledge.
Woodward, K. (1997). Identity and Difference. London: Sage.
Zedde, K. (1998). Societies in Conflict: Museums and the Creation of "National Identity". International council of museums (ICOM).
In-Text Citation: (Jagero et al., 2016)
To Cite this Article: Jagero, N., Chisedzi, W. K. T., Sithole, N., Shadreck, & Chitima, S. (2016). The Role of Zimbabwean Museums in Creating National Identity during PostColonial Era: A Case Study of Zimbabwe Military Museum. Multilingual Academic Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 4(1), 46–56.