adminDr Tony Monda Art Zone
Various definitions of culture reflect differing theories for understanding, or criteria for evaluating, human activity. In post-colonial Africa there has been the propensity to emphasise the role of political and economic activities in the reconstruction of a nation often to the exclusion of arts and culture in most historical research and discourse.
However, the definition of a people and nation is determined by their arts and culture which refers to the systems of life for a group or clan, of people; manifesting in their ways of behaving, systems of belief, religion, rituals, values, language, customs followed, dress style, personal ornamentation, special symbols and codes, manners, law and morality and in their inter-relationships with other members of society.
Culture has also been called “the way of life for an entire society”.
Movable cultural heritage includes objects that people create or collect and forms an important part of a nation’s identity.
These objects are known as cultural property and can be artistic, technological, historical or natural in origin.
There is increasing trade and exchange of cultural property between nations; whilst such exchange can enhance international appreciation of cultural diversity, it can also lead to the loss of significant aspects of a nation’s cultural heritage if not managed appropriately and sustainably.
Several First World countries have laws which regulate the export of cultural property covering a wide range including:
- Indigenous art and artefacts
- Works of fine and decorative art
- Scientific and archaeological artefacts
- Fossils, meteorites and minerals
- Agricultural and industrial heritage
- Books, stamps and medals
- Historic materials
In 2002 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation described culture as follows: “Culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs.”
Culture is handed down from one generation to the next in diverse forms. However, it becomes more relative and dynamic as each generation contributes its experiences and discards the elements of their culture that are no longer useful and relevant for their modern society.
Culture is learned from clan elders and leaders, family, school, religious teachings which have many rituals that symbolise belonging to a particular culture.
In fact, everyone has got a role to play in the development of art.
Today it is learned from television, the media, movies, books and magazines, which are also powerful and impressionable guides. For example, American music videos promote a certain style of dress, values, expression and attitude for young people which many young people like to emulate.
In South Africa as well, their music promotes a certain way of life that is synonymous with their way of life.
Lately Nigerian movies have had a similar impact to Zimbabwean audiences – particularly female. Contemporary artworks in Zimbabwe have always inculcated various aspects of our culture which are inclusive of traditional, contemporary, transitional and evolving aspects of it.
For example, Nicholas Mukombe-ranwa in many instances created works which were often a new realisation of Shona beliefs and spiritual characters in the totality of the subjects he sculpted. Nicholas portrayed life as a positive inculcation of Zimbabwe’s social-cultural ethnic ethos in his work.
In his eyes, life was a creative force, and sculpture was an example of Shona moral and aesthetic codes.
His work and that of many others today stand as important vestibules of culture for Zimbabwe. Art should therefore attract serious documentation, preservation and,more importantly, investment for posterity as it is an important facet of our national cultural heritage.
For history’s sake art has to be preserved for future generations. Let us build and unite Zimbabwe through arts and culture. Art is very important in the development of any nation and therefore it should be given it’s true value.
Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Art Theory and Philosophy and a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) in Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. He is a writer, musician, art critic, practising artist and Corporate Image Consultant.
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