Decolonizing Heritage Management Systems: New Directions in Digital Heritage Management from Namibia

ABSTRACT

Heritage management continues to be an important subject of global relevance. A key tool in promoting and managing heritage is a system to record, monitor, and promote heritage assets. Across the globe there are numerous systems in place to do this. However, the majority are built upon ‘Western’ concepts of heritage and often fail in implementation in other parts of the world because they do not capture different definitions and approaches to heritage. This paper explores some of the challenges and limitations of past heritage management systems in Namibia. It discusses recent attempts to remodel the Namibia Heritage Resources Information System (NAHRIS) to provide better management tools in the form of a digital heritage management system and increase access to heritage, and it reflects on these experiences and their implications for decolonising heritage management systems globally.

KEYWORDS:

• Heritage management
• decolonization
• Namibia
• digitization

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges her mentors, Dr. A. Moffett and Prof. P. Lane, for their patience, continued support, and valuable guidance; and The Cardiff University, Phoenix project, UNAM, NMN, and NHC team for working tirelessly on the redevelopment of the NAHRIS. This work was supported by the British Academy as part of the Early Career Researcher programme on the Rewriting of the World’s Archaeology.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The pre-eminence of built heritage within the National Heritage Register can be ascribed to the delineation of the term ‘Historical site’, as stipulated by the 1969 Act (No. 28), which remained in effect in Namibia until 2004. This act defines a ‘Historical site’ as an ‘identifiable building or a portion thereof, marker, milestone, or landmark that has surpassed the age of 50 years’.

2. Cardiff University maintains a well-established partnership with the University of Namibia, facilitated by the Phoenix project. The revival of the NAHRIS project has been integrated into the ongoing collaboration between these two institutions. This initiative is spearheaded by an interdisciplinary team that is an integral component of the aforementioned project.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported and funded by the British Academy through their Mentoring Programme for Early Career Researchers (ECRs).

Notes on contributors

Agnes Sofia Mpingana Shiningayamwe

Agnes S.M. Shiningayamwe holds a Master’s Degree in Education, PGD in Heritage Conservation and Management, and BeD Hons (History and Geography) all from the University of Namibia (UNAM). She is currently a PhD Student in Eco Tourism and Protected Area Management at the International University of Management (IUM). Her research interests are Heritage Education, Heritage Tourism, Heritage Conservation and Management.