Heritage, identity and the politics of representation in tribal spaces: an examination of architectural approaches in Mochudi, Botswana and Moruleng, South Africa

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the politics of developing and conserving cultural heritage in key tribal community spaces of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela in Mochudi, Botswana and Moruleng, South Africa. In Mochudi, colonial architecture and traditional tribal spaces are valued as architectural heritage. In Moruleng, only colonial architecture is recognised in this way. Our research suggests that the significance of tribal architectural heritage is conveyed primarily through the use of space, rather than in its material properties. Communities maintain a sense of continuity, and ‘traditional’ tribal spaces derive continued meaning, through the repetition of social and cultural practices embodied within the everyday. This delicate intersection of intangible and tangible heritage has resulted in a loss of tangible ‘traditional’ heritage in both villages. Simultaneously, a trend to re-create precolonial archaeological heritage and vernacular forms as a way of articulating Bakgatla cultural identity has emerged in Moruleng. Analysing the heritage precincts in each village using documentary materials, stakeholder interviews and our reading of place, we illustrate how identity politics have shifted local architectural conservation approaches towards representations of identities/identity construction, which on the one hand serves the purpose of articulating identity difference and on the other attempts to address an ‘authentic representation’ of the Bakgatla identity.

KEYWORDS:

• Politics
• identity
• tribal
• heritage
• architecture

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Although the word ‘tribe’ has colonial connotations, we use the term tribal in the sense that it has been appropriated by different communities in southern Africa to differentiate themselves from other communities. For example, the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela Tribal Authorities in Moruleng intentionally use the term as part of their identity.

2. This was the Boer white minority government of the period.

3. Interviewed professionals consented to their names being used in the article except for those anonymised.

4. In Moruleng the Bakgatla community live in the village and attend cultural activities in the adjacent precinct. The community leader is the tribal chief and is the custodian of culture for the Bakgatla community. Moruleng Heritage Precinct was built as a community-owned centre and the local community were invited to take part in the interpretation of their heritage.

5. Shakaland is located in South Africa and was created as a film stage set for the Shaka Zulu television series.

6. Although anthropological sources are often criticised for representing the culture of indigenous communities as backwards, these sources are valuable for their documentation of spaces.

7. Prior to 2001, heritage listing in Botswana reflected interest in ancient monuments and colonial heritage, rather than less-monumental vernacular heritage spaces such as the kraal.

8. Phuthadikobo museum is a Bakgatla community organisation which acts as custodian for Bakgatla heritage.

9. The Monuments and Relics Act of 2001 (Botswana) gives preference to heritage with national, rather than communal and regional, value.

10. There are plans underway to develop Moruleng village into a city by the Tribal Authorities.

11. During the ZAR period, local tribes were not allowed to own land. They lived as tenants, paying rent to the ruling power see (Mbenga and Morton 1997).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Katlego Pleasure Mwale

Katlego Pleasure Mwale is a lecturer at the Department of Architecture, University of Botswana. Her research interests include the politics of heritage, the relationship of heritage to identity and everyday life practices.

Jo Lintonbon

Jo Lintonbon is a lecturer at the School of Architecture, The University of Sheffield. Her research interests include the conservation of built heritage, urban histories and histories of everyday spaces.