Preparatory Visit to Mozambique

Status: Complete

Duration: 2013

Partners: ACHA- African Centre for Heritage Activities, Prince Claus Fund

 

Our work in Mozambique is in cooperation with our South African Partner, ACHA, and with the support of the Cultural Emergency Response (CER) programme of the Prince Claus Fund. Our project aims to empower the community of Ilha de Mozambique through the provision of basic frameworks, theory and skills in heritage management, in order to fight against treasure hunting. It is part of CIE philosophy that local awareness and commitment are the key factors in safeguarding and developing heritage. 

 

In order to achieve this aim, CIE made a preparatory visit to Mozambique to begin setting up the community training programmes in underwater archaeology scheduled to begin in 2014

 

NAS Course

Status: Complete

Duration: 2011

Partners: Community Ilha de Mozambique, UNESCO office Maputo

 

CIE launched an introductory course as part of the NAS training in underwater archaeology in Mozambique, organised in association with the seminar which took place around the same time. This encompassed the training of a small team of enthusiastic and committed young community members selected by the community themselves. They were given training as scuba divers who would then join the working group for additional Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) training, for which CIE holds a license. 

 

The members were also focused upon the development of an awareness-raising and/or tourism-boosting project. Ideas which were put forward included an Ilha de Mozambique walking trail to help identify and promote the diverse heritage landscape of the island for the community and for tourists. A working group was formed who will continue with these heritage ideas and development of project proposals. 

 

As a result of these seminar discussions, a number of recommendations were reported to UNESCO. 

 

Seminar on UNESCO Convention for Undewater Cultural Heritage

Status: Complete

Duration: 2011

Partners: UNESCO office Maputo, community Ilha de Mozambique

 

Introduction:

CIE was requested by UNESCO Maputo to host a seminar in order to discuss the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage of 2001. The aim of this event was to bring together the community and hear their voices and opinions surrounding the protection and management of their underwater cultural heritage sites. The principles and practices of the UNESCO Convention were highlighted and it was also discussed how to begin to empower the local community with various techniques and skills to protect and manage these sites effectively. 

 

Outcomes: 

The members of the community clearly expressed their desire to ratify the UNESCO convention in Mozambique, and to use it as a model for domestic legislation in order to stop the destruction of their heritage. They were also keen to develop projects which can engage and empower their community, especially their young people.

 

All the participants of the seminar were introduced to the principles and practices of implementing underwater cultural heritage activities in an ethical manner, as well as employing best practices. This included two days of presentations and discussions, followed by three days of practical work with a smaller ‘working group’. 

 

As a result of these seminar discussions, a number of recommendations were reported to UNESCO.

 

Africa World Heritage Fund (AWHF) Proposal

Status: Complete

Duration: 2010

Partners: Africa World Heritage Fund (AWHF)

 

Introduction:

In Southern Africa there is a clear need to increase the understanding of the value of cultural heritage amongst the local communities, particularly the richness that is underwater cultural heritage. Underwater and maritime sites have been very little explored, especially in Africa, yet they contain a wealth of knowledge on the past, such as the relationship with the coastal communities with the sea, which is at most times taken for granted.  Africa has witnessed many voyages of discovery and trading activities, which have left thousands of shipwrecks on Africa’s coasts and formation of new cultures. Some of these trade routes were interlinked with the trade in human beings and the world merging of cultures, which subsequently redefined Africa and its coastal landscapes. 

 

Heritage Cooperation:

In 2010 CIE assisted South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia and Kenya in developing a project proposal to meet this need, which was submitted to the AWHF. The project involves the implementation of pilot investigations for regional cooperation and capacity building on Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage (MUCH), for countries that have ratified the UNESCO World Heritage Convention 1972. 

 

A number of World Heritage Sites including Lamu in Kenya, Zanzibar and Kilwa in Tanzania, Ilha de Mozambique, and Robben Island in South Africa, with related maritime and underwater cultural heritage sites will form the basis for investigation and development of strategic management plans within a local, national and regional context. The projects have begun to be implemented since 2011

 

Sub-Saharan Regional Collaboration

Status: Complete

Duration: 2010

Partners: South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), Robben Island Museum, Africa World Heritage Fund (AWHF), Departments of Arts and Culture (DAC) South Africa

 

Event:

A regional meeting on Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage (MUCH) was held at Robben Island in South Africa from 17th-19th February 2010. This international workshop had participants from Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Kenya. At this meeting it was decided to form a MUCH regional group, in order strengthen the collaboration in this area. The group formulated a number of goals and objectives for the group to pursue in the future. These were written down in the African Regional MUCH Agreement, signed by all participants at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island. 

 

Outcomes: 

This collaboration has resulted in a number of productive efforts. For example the group developed a grant application which was submitted to the African World Heritage Fund for a five year project focused upon capacity building around MUCH activities associated with the World Heritage Convention and World Heritage Sites in the participating countries. CIE as an organisation provides support to this group in their activities and proposals.

 

Workshop on Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Status: Complete

Duration: 2009

Partners: UNESCO Paris, UNESCO Maputo, Ministry of Culture Mozambique, Community of Ilha de Mozambique

 

Event:

In October 2009 CIE were invited by UNESCO Maputo to provide them and the local Mozambique stakeholders with advice concerning maritime and underwater cultural heritage issues. A two-day discussion and workshop was held, attended by the UNESCO Maputo office staff, as well as representatives from the Mozambique government, universities, Ilha de Mozambique officials and community members. 

 

CIE gave a presentation to the group outlining the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001. The talk aimed to express and explore how the universal rules of such a convention can be applied, whilst maintaining a local approach towards the management of underwater cultural heritage.