OUR HERITAGE,OUR FUTURE: Cultural diversity for Responsible
development
International Heritage Conference ,in Entebbe, Uganda, September 2013
Jonathan Nsubuga
RECONSTRUCTION OF
Tombs of Buganda Kings at
KASUBI
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Kasubi /Nabulagala
(Adapted from drawing by Sir
Apollo Kaggwa)
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Kasubi /Nabulagala
The royal enclosure,1832
Adapted from an 1832 drawing
by Sir Apollo Kaggwa
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Palace/Tomb
Built by Ssekabaka Muteesa I in 1882
1882-1897
Kabaka Muteesa I’s Palace
Photo from Royal Geographical
Society
Muteesa receiving J.H.Speke and J.Grant in 1864
1905 ( photo
taken
1905,photo
taken 1911
,
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Kasubi site layout
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Significance/symbolism
WORLD OF THE DEAD
WORLD OF THE LIVING
Interior of Muzibu Azaala Mpanga
HOME TO THE FOUR SEKABAKAS OF BUGANDA
DICHOTOMY OF EXISTENCE
The sacred and profane co-exist
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Significance/symbolism
Historical
Architectural
Social
© Remigius Kigongo
Educational
Cultural - skills, traditions, beliefs
Natural
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Fire March 16th 2010
© Dick Kasolo
© Dick Kasolo
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (tradition)
TRADITIONAL/ CLANS OBLIGATIONS TO THE KABAKA
Skills to be used in reconstruction/capacity building
All clans contribute to the maintenance of the site. Some play specific roles in conservation:
Ngeye Clan
(Colobus monkey) : Thatching
Ngo clan
(Leopard) : decoration
Butiiko Clan
(Mushroom) : Gate guards
Lugave clan (Pangolin)
Royal Drums maintenance and beating
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (tradition)
RITUALS
Specific Rituals are carried out at different stages of construction to appease the Ssekabakas
•‘MASENGERE’- SEIZING OF
THE HEAD
•‘KUKANSIIRA’- CLEANSING
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (architectural)
Research, drawings, presentations, meetings, exhibitions
Water colour sketch by Speke
Source: Royal Geographical Society
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (architectural)
Research, drawings, presentations, meetings, exhibitions
Challenge: Restoring the know-how
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (impact)
Positive
True recognition for the intangible values
Traditional maintenance skills recognised and reinforced
Large amount of documentation produced
International recognition for the site
Increase in the number of visitor
Protection of the boundaries
Research on thatch, 2006
Negative
Role of the State Party (National Museum) misunderstood by traditional custodians
Conflicts with the traditional custodians
Limited impact for the local community
Enlisted in 2001 under criteria (i) (iii) (iv) (vi)
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction - conservation (social)
A major challenge : restoring pride and vitality amongst
the stakeholders
•Traditional management systems
•Community awareness
•Maintenance of structures that are symbols of heritage
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Conclusion
•Conserving the
community is the key
•The traditional
management systems
need to be recognised,
understood,
documented and
strengthened
•Capacity building
•Bufferzone to
•protect heritage
•The satisfaction of
the stakeholders is a
major indicator in the
conservation process.
•Research and
documentation
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development