Long way to cultural, historical preservation

Unlike in Malawi, the Maji Maji Commemoration in Tanzania took place last week without the interference of politicians. The two-day event had traditional dances, speeches and visits to cultural and historical sites that are connected to the 67 Ngoni leaders massacred during the Maji Maji War against German rule. Our Arts Reporter JOHN CHIRWA talked to Mzimba Heritage Association secretary Aupson Thole on lessons to be drawn from Tanzania for Malawi to have cultural events free of political bickering:

Q

: How do you rate the commemoration?

A

: This commemoration is very colourful. Somehow, it is like celebrating lives of our Ngoni forefathers who fought for peace and safe governance. At the same time, you find that there is pain somewhere, especially when women and children sing. This means people still grieve. There is pain in most of them. And they need someone to apologise for the atrocities. They really need that apology although the incident happened a century ago. But thanks to the government of Tanzania. They have done the best they could by establishing the heritage centre which has a museum, mass grave and other cultural and historical sites.

Q

: What are some of the lessons we can draw from our colleagues?

A

: As we attended the event, the whole environment was cultural in nature. It was all about government and its people, remembering the fallen heroes. If it were in Malawi, we could have party officials as well as party colours here and there, disturbing the event. But here, it’s so natural. Everybody feels at home despite political affiliation. It is traditional and historical—no politics.

Q

: What needs to be done to ensure that our cultural events do not degenerate into political rallies?

A

: We need to define roles of individuals we invite to our events. Who does what? Our colleagues here, the event was led by the army. Other notable officials in the forefront were chiefs, the mayor, council and ministry officials. No politicians stealing the show. This simply means our colleagues are able to define the roles of every individual invited to the event. I am sure we could learn something from there so that politicians do not gatecrash into our events.

Q

: We have seen they have a museum to preserve materials used during the war. What does this say about our colleagues in cultural preservation and promotion?

A

: They are organised. As we can see, they also have a mass grave where 67 souls, including their leader Songea Mbano, are buried. Even the graves are nice. So, by just looking at how the graves are being preserved and the history—from the site where they were hanged to the mass graves and the museum—all these are complementing each other. And the museum is not only talking about the Ngonis. It is also talking about chiefs from other ethnic groups who suffered under the Germans. So, the heritage centre is very rich—the museum, graveyard, statue, among other historical sites.

Q

: Has Malawi done enough in preserving and promoting similar historical and cultural sites.

A

: I am sorry to say we have not started. Maybe we are just beginning. For example, if we go to Nkhata Bay and see what is happening there; one cannot see the mass grave. When we read in history, they say there was a mass grave just as is the case in Songea. Our colleagues have preserved all that, but when you go to Nkhata Bay, you don’t find a mass grave or a ship [Mpasa] where they were first detained in the fight for independence. There are gaps to make the story complete in Nkhata Bay. If I were a tourist in Nkhata Bay I would have a lot of questions to have a full story. So, we need all artifacts and materials used during the fight put together in form of a museum for tourists to capture a full history.

Q

: As a heritage, you have plans for a cultural heritage centre that will have a museum and a hotel at Hora Mountain in Mzimba. Where are we with those plans?

A

: Our museum wants to showcase how the Ngoni welcomed the British missionaries, the resistance they met, treaties, role of Inkosi ya Makosi and that of other chiefs. We know that we are not alone because the Museums in Malawi will support us. However, we can learn from what others have done. So, if the worst comes to the worst, we will go back to Songea to learn how they have done because they have a nice exhibition. n